Imphal, May 14: Demand for scheduled tribe status for the Meitei or Meetei is nothing but pouring fuel to the burning fire. This was stated by Advisor of AMESCO Yangsosang Koireng said this while highlighting the various imbroglios existed among various communities of the state during a one day convention on Scheduled Tribe status in Manipur.
“I belong to Koireng Community and it would be wrong to interfere to the issue of another community, but We the tribal will not be happy if the Meitei or Meetei community which is major community were converted to Scheduled Tribe”, Yangsosang Koireng said.
He further said that the concept of the Pro ST demand committee justifying it as the means to bring harmony in the state is totally wrong. This will only set us on more crises. Citing an example, Koireng said that there are certain incident at which smaller tribe are being deprived for mere privilege.
“The Koibu tribe is facing tremendous hardship from Maring Community because they wanted a recognition”, Koireng reminded.
Koireng also further said that the Manipuri Language which has been included in the 8th Scheduled of the Indiac Constitution will be a tribal dialect if the Meetei are converted into ST and moreover the famous classical Manipuri Dance which has already spread its recognition across the world will become a mere tribal dance.
Dr. Homen Thangjam, lecturer of MB College in his speech opined that the issue for demand of ST status for Meitei Meitei emerges from the narrow self interest vision of getting few quotas.
He said the demand is provoke by JK Pillai as he thought that conversion of ST status might end the insurgency problem in the state which is not correct. The cheap propaganda of ST as the only option for the people is not correct.
Professor of Economics Chinglen Meishnam expressed shock over the bringing up various issues by certain people mere political gains.
“Instead of arguing and debating over petty issues like ST or others it is now time that we the people think of some issues which people of the region irrespective of community could go together”, Chinglen said.
He added that the issue of AFSPA which both Hills and Plain people use to go together with a common goal has been sidelined. This proves that the real problems of the state are being sideline.
Various leaders of Meira Paibis also opposed the idea of converting the Meitei Meetei into ST status saying that they will stand against any such demand which will sabotage the history of the erstwhile kingdom.
2 comments
Going by the track records of the indian government of how it took sikkim in 1972 shows its high class of expertise in this game. So , India does not sleep over any issues with regard to its national interest. And so the game is being played here too by its best think tanks how to protect its national interests. Stay alert people and cautiously promote the people’s aspirations at level of politicking. We may hire expert people in foreign countries and seek advice about how we should attain our aspirations .
Don’t be too mean minded Mr Koireng. Such a move will promote unity and equality among all ethnic groups of Manipur. If the constitutional recognition of indigenous people as ST and no ST, it is now becoming artificial wall. We will be brother and sister even meitei are accorded ST in Indian constitution.