IT News
Imphal, Jan 16:
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) and the World Meetei Council (WMC) have submitted a memorandum Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh and 33 MLAs urging them for consideration for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe lists.
Speaking to the media, Bhogendrajit Ahanba, General Secretary of STDCM, stated that they have slowed down their demand for the inclusion of Meitei in the ST list due to the law and order situation in Manipur. However, after thorough discussions with concerned members and intellectuals, they have decided to move forward with the demand. He further expressed that in the written letter, they have appealed to the 33 concerned MLAs, along with CM N. Biren, to begin paperwork for the recommendation of Meitei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe List.
Heigrujam Nabashyam, Chairman of WMC, emphasized the crucial importance of constitutionally protecting the Meiteis under Scheduled Tribe status. Meiteis fulfil the 5 criteria of the Indian constitution for a community or ethnicity to be considered as tribes or aboriginals. He further argued that Meiteis are not economically superior to other tribal communities, as around 90% of Manipur’s economy is generated from Imphal Bazaar, with the business community owning around 95% of it. He concluded by stating that almost everyone in the Meitei community wants to be protected by being enlisted in the ST status, but without the recommendation and support from the State Government, even the central Government has no part to play.
If Meiteis do not receive constitutional protection, there will be an identity crisis in 30-40 years. Only a handful of elites exist, while most Meiteis live hand to mouth and are below the poverty line.
