DESAM backs STDCM's demand

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 9: Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has announced that it will fully support the initiative taken up by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list of the Constitution.
Speaking to media persons at DESAM's temporary office at Kwakeithel Junior High School today evening, its secretary Shital Oinam said that DESAM fully supports the demand of STDCM and will offer full cooperation to any steps taken up by the committee to fulfil its demand.
Demanding the State Government to recommend the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei in the ST list before the people rise in protest, he warned that if the Government fails to do so, DESAM will launch intense agitation.
He explained that the valley occupies around 10 percent of the total land of Manipur and even if the valley is predominantly settled by Meiteis, they are living without any Constitutional provisions for safeguarding them and their interests.
On the other hand, various developments like Trans-Asian Highways and railways are coming. As such, the only weapon for the Meities/Meeteis to defend themselves is to get included in the ST list, Shital reasoned.
It is the right choice to support the demand of the STDCM, which has been put forward by various experts and whose collective reasoning is that the only way to protect the culture, identity, traditions and other aspects of the Meitei/Meetei community is inclusion of the community in the ST list of the Constitution, he said. Shital explained that the CSOs, Meira Paibis, student community and the people should pitch in and support the demand as it is a valid demand.
As for DESAM, it is poised to initiate stringent forms of agitation if the State Government fails to send a recommendation to the Centre for including the community in the ST list, Shital cautioned.