IT News
Imphal, April 6:
Rajya Sabha MP Sanaojaba Leishemba of Manipur has drawn the attention of the government to include the Meetei/Meitei community to the list of Schedule Tribes (ST) under Article 342(1) of the Indian Constitution.
Sanaojaba Leishemba is the lone elected RS MP from Manipur. Legendary boxer MC Marry Kom who is also a member of the Rajya Sabha was nominated by the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in recognition to her achievement in the field of Sports.
The Schedule Tribe Demand Committee for Meetei/Meitei community has been putting up the matters for a very long time. However, there are also sections of people in the multiethnic place of Manipur where the demand for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei to the list of ST. Maybe the differences over the demand kept tight lip to almost all politicians who got elected.
Rajya Sabha MP Sanaojaba Leishemba is perhaps the first MP from Manipur to draw the attention of the members of the upper house of Parliament to raise the issue for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Schedule tribe list as per the provision of the Indian Constitution.
Putting up the matter as a special mention in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, MP Sanajaoba Leishemba said that demand for inclusion of the Ethnic Indigenous Community – the Meetei/Meitei in ST list under Article 342(1) of the Indian Constitution is the need of the hour.
Giving reason the MP said that since 2013 Meetei/Meitei had made many representations to the Prime minister, Home Minister, Minister of Tribal Affair, and other union leaders for Consideration of including Meetei/Meitei in the ST list under Article 342(1). However, till today any positive or concrete action has not been come out from the union and the state government so far. He said unless they are provided with a constitutional Self guard by including in the list of S.T status without further delay, the Meetei/Meitei shall be reduced to the minority as the community is vulnerable to becoming refugees in their own ancestor land. Manipur perhaps is a proud nation-state for more than 5,000 years, Leishemba added.
The Manipur MP drew the attention of the Rajya Sabha and requested the government of India to kindly take up the necessary action and instruct the state government to do the needful as early as possible.
