IT News
Jiri, Dec 28:
The World Meetei Council (WMC) has called on the Manipur government to reorganize Moirang as a revenue district and restore the pre-1960 status of Jiribam’s district boundary. The appeal was made during a press conference held at the Jiri News Network’s Conference Hall in Babupara, Jiribam. Speaking at the event, WMC CEC Vice Chairman Ch. Nabakumar Singh outlined the organization’s demands.
Ch. Nabakumar Singh highlighted that these issues were extensively deliberated during the WMC’s 5th Plenary Session, held on December 21 in Moirang. During the session, which included representatives from various civil society organizations, the Moirang Declaration was reaffirmed. The declaration emphasized a unified approach to ensuring the Meetei community’s security, identity, and development. The resolutions discussed during the session included demands for immediate recognition of Moirang as a revenue district and the restoration of Jiribam’s district boundary to its pre-1960 status.
The WMC also stressed the need for strong actions by the Indian government against armed Kuki insurgents who continue to threaten peace in the region. They called for revoking the suspension of operations agreement with illegal Kuki armed groups and implementing enhanced security measures to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes. The deployment of a dedicated Meetei Regiment to strengthen state and international boundary security was also highlighted as a critical need.
Policy reforms were a significant part of the discussion, with the WMC urging the amendment of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act (MRL) to safeguard the rights of the Meetei community. They also advocated for the introduction of an Indigenous Business Act to promote local enterprises and the establishment of a State Population Commission based on the National Register of Citizens (NRC) of 1951, ensuring fair delimitation to protect indigenous populations. The demand for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meetei community, as advocated by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM), received strong support.
WMC leaders, including President Yumkhaibam Shyam Kumar, Vice Chairman Hemam Boyai, and others, have urged the public to support these initiatives. They appealed to the state and central governments to prioritize these demands for the welfare of the indigenous Meetei community. The press conference was attended by several WMC leaders, including Ch. Nabakumar Singh (Vice Chairman, WMC), Konjengbam Ratan (Secretary Administration, CEC, WMC), Mutum Gunadhon (Secretary Information and Publicity), Keisam Ronen (Vice President, Delhi Unit), Huirem Onbi Neva Devi (Vice President, Women’s Front), Salam Ongbi Romi Devi (General Secretary, Women’s Front), and Mutum Ranjit (General Secretary, Lakhipur Co-District Committee).
