NE Watch Desk
Manipur civil body Scheduled Tribe
Demand Committee Manipur or STDCM have announced the resumption of their
movement advocating for the inclusion of Meitei in the scheduled tribe (ST)
list as a semblance of normalcy returned to the State, said its General
Secretary K Bhogendrajit.
Bhogendrajit highlighted that before the
recent conflicts unfolded the committee had submitted memorandums to 34 MLAs
regarding the matter and majority of them expressed support for their demand.
The committee urged the MLAs to
translate their assurances into action by persuading Chief Minister N Biren
Singh and submitting necessary documents for the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST
list. They set a deadline for proactive steps to be taken on or before January
31.
World Meitei Council chairman Heikrujam
Nabashyam emphasized the movement for Meitei recognition in the ST list has
been ongoing for a decade. He expressed disappointment over the State Government
not forwarding required recommendations, such as ethno-graphic reports and the
socio-economic status of the Meitei community.
Nabashyam noted a decline in the Meitei
population over the years, citing a decrease from 60 per cent in the 1991
census to 44 per cent in the 2011 census. He warned of potential
socio-political upheaval in the coming decades and argued constitutional
safeguards, through ST status recognition, are crucial to preventing such
consequences.
Nabashyam revealed the Union Ministry
has instructed the submission of necessary documents for Meitei inclusion in
the ST list.
While acknowledging the positive
initiatives of implementing ILPs, NRC, and constructing border fencing,
Nabashyam stressed these are not ultimate solutions to protect Meitei from the
threat of an identity crisis. The renewed movement seeks constitutional
safeguards to ensure the preservation of Meitei identity.
