Ibobi stresses on unanimity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 17 2023: Former Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi has categorically stated that there must be a consensus among all the communities of Manipur regarding the issue of enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the ST category.

As a part of the ongoing campaign to meet and elicit opinions of the legislators on the demand of categorising Meitei/Meetei as a Scheduled Tribe, a team of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) visited former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi at his Babupara quarters today.

After accepting a memorandum submitted by the STDCM team, Ibobi said that the demand for granting ST status to Meitei/Meetei is not a new one.

"The demand was there since the days of the Congress Government but we think the issue is beyond the purview of the State Government", Ibobi said.

Saying there is a report that due process is underway to enlist the Ahom community of Assam in the ST category, Ibobi wondered whether the Union Cabinet can take a decision on the matter.

"Until and unless the State Government takes a decision on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of the demand, we would rather stay away from the issue.

I alone cannot take a call on the matter.

There are party colleagues as well as the party's high command", Ibobi said.

"As a constructive Opposition, we would take part in discussing all reasonable issues in the State Assembly and we would support any issue which is legitimate", he added.

In order to avoid misunderstandings, the issue of enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the ST category demands thorough and threadbare discussion with all communities, said the CLP leader.

"If the State Government thinks that the issue is reasonable and tables it in the State Assembly, we would definitely take part in discussing the issue", Ibobi said.

In a democracy, every citizen has a right to.

highlight his/her grievances and aspirations but no bigger problem should be created in solving a problem.

As the particular demand is beyond the purview of the State Government and can be fulfilled only by the Central Government, all sections of the society need to have a threadbare discussion on the issue, Ibobi added.

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