Delete AKT from ST list : IPFM

IMPHAL, Feb 5 : Conveying its gratitude and satisfaction over the installation of an elected Government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand, the Indigenous People's Forum, Manipur (IPFM) has urged the new leader to prioritize his agendas and delete Any Kuki Tribe from the ST list.
In a congratulatory message addressed to the new Chief Minister, IPFM has listed the immediate tasks set before the Council of Ministers.
Recalling that the previous State Cabinets in 2018, 2022 and 2023 took unanimous decisions to remove Any Kuki Tribe (AKT) from the Scheduled Tribes category, IPFM said the Government of the day should honour this historic decision and do away with "this nomenclature of AKT".
Secondly, IPFM said the State Government should review and rectify the SoO agreement and monitor the activities and movements of the cadres who have been housed in various camps.
Additionally, NRC should be urgently implemented in Manipur and all illegal immigrants should be "detected, deleted and deported" to their places of origin in the immediate future, added IPFM.
IPFM also reminded the new Government that the Bill for the welfare and socio-economic development of the indigenous people should be introduced and passed by the State Assembly in the near future.
It added that separate fund allocation for the hills and valley should be reflected in the State Budget documents for a balanced economic growth in both areas.
IPFM has urged the new dispensation to address their legitimate and genuine demands in the overall interest of the indigenous people of the State.