Human chains raise ‘ST for Meiteis’ call

Our Correspondents
Tbl/Bpr, Feb 1 : Continuing with its series of demonstrations demanding the inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Constitution of India a large number of people heeded the call of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur and formed human chains in different parts of the State today. The campaign continues despite the opposition raised by some organisations, notably the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM).
A large number of people formed human chains at Wangoo Lupa Marup Keithel, Moirang Lamkhai and Kumbi Keithel. Some of the common demands raised in all the three sites were to send the recommendations sought by the Centre, save the Meetei/Meitei populace, respect the democratic approach etc.
The demonstration at Wangoo was staged by volunteers of STDCM Kakching District Committee along with local clubs and Meira Paibi lups of the area.
During the demonstration, slogans were also raised to save Meetei/Meitei.
At Bishnupur, human chains were formed at Moirang Lamkhai and Kumbi Keithel under the aegis of STDCM.
The demonstrations were participated by the volunteers of local clubs and womenfolk.
At Moirang Lamkhai, Moirang Kendra Apunba Meira Paibi Ima Lup (MAMPIL) president K Padamabati Devi said that the movement launched by STDCM is to protect the future generations of Meetei/Meitei.
Urging the State Government to forward the recommendations as soon as possible, she said that granting ST tag to Meetei/Meitei will not harm the interest of other communities. It is to be noted that the key demand being raised by the STDCM to the Manipur Government is to forward the latest ethnographic and socio economic reports of Meetei/Meitei to the Centre so as to verify whether the ethnic group is eligible to be categorised as an ST. The same movement, however, has been objected by a handful of tribal organisations especially ATSUM as they believe that the demand to include Meetei/Meitei in the ST list is illogical and puerile. The ATSUM also construed the support being rendered to the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur  by some valley MLAs as communalizing the issue and they had asked the tribal MLAs to make their stand clear too.
Spearheaded by STDCM, the demand to grant ST tag to Meetei/Meitei has now become a major movement in Manipur supported by some MLAs and organisations alike.