Imphal, Aug 7: Around 100 people including titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba today launched relay hunger strike at Panthoibi Sanglen near THAU Ground demanding inclusion of Meitie/Meetei to Scheduled Tribe status under the aegis of Schedule Tribe Demand Committee Manipur and Co-Ordinating Body of STDC. The relay hunger strike will continue till August 31.
Speaking to media persons, convenor of Co-Ordinating Body of STDC Motum Churamani said that state government should submit a memorandum to the central government to include Meitei/Meetei community to ST status within 31st of the this month.
“Inclusion of Meetei/Meitei to scheduled caste is the only alternative to protect the indigenous people of the state”, Churamani said.
He further said that if the government fails to submit the memorandum then STDC and Co-ordinating body will organise mass rally on September 18 and will be followed by series of intense agitation.
Earlier, the committee had plan a sit-in-protest in front of Manipur Public Service Commission, however, as the government authority denied permission they shift the venue for protest at Panthoibi Sanglen.