MMTU kicks off 'No ST, No Vote' drive

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 13 : In a fresh push to include the Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, the Meetei/Meitei Tribe Union (MMTU) launched "No ST, No Vote" campaign at Singjamei Oinam Thingel, today.
Addressing the launch ceremony at the residence of MPCC member Oinam Romen, MMTU secretary organization Mutum Churamani, stated that the Meetei/Meitei were historically known as a forest tribe, emphasising that their demand is to restore that status by enlisting the ethnic community in the ST list of the Constitution.
He said that Meetei/Meitei has the legitimate right to be included in the ST list.
Most political parties support their demand but not the BJP, he said and added that the Government didn't send a  recommendation to the Centre for granting ST status  to the Meetei/Meitei despite the Manipur High Court's directives.
This is despite the fact that the majority of BJP MLAs are Meiteis, he said, expressing a desire for these lawmakers to work to secure the future of the ethnic community.
Churamani said that the "No ST, No Vote" campaign will be held across the State to urge MLAs and intending candidates of the upcoming elections to work towards granting the ST status to the Meetei/Meitei.