Another MLA endorses ST demand

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 24 :Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC MLA S Kebi has assured to extend her fullest support to the movement which is deman-ding addition of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe list of the Constitution.
Today, volunteers of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) called on the MLA at her residence at Ningthemcha Karong and submitted a memorandum which explained why the ethnic group must be categorised as ST.
Notably, STDCM and International Meetei Forum (IMF) have also submitted memoranda to National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for enlistment of the Meetei/Meitei in the ST list while the Central team was at Imphal.
The central team had also agreed to meet representatives of the IMF at the National capital to discuss their demand minutely.
After accepting the me-morandum, S Kebi said that the demand raised by STDCM and others to restore the tribal status of Meetei/Meitei is legitimate and understandable as the ethnic group  has a small population.
It is necessary to accord ST tag to the Meetei /Meitei so as to secure the future of the group and  for the wellbeing of the future genera- tions, she said and reiterated her support to the movement.
Kebi also said that she will consult the matter  with Chief Minister N Biren Singh too.
Though most of the valley MLAs have endorsed the demand of STDCM, the State Government hasn't said anything about sending the latest socio economic and ethnography reports of the Meetei/Meitei to the Centre till date.
However, some tribal groups, particularly ATSUM has been vehemently opposing the demand.