Extending solidarity to the ongoing movement launched by the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM), the Sunusiphai Welfare Youth Club (SWYC) and the Nupi Chaokhat Thourang Lup, jointly carried out a sit-in protest at Sunusiphai Mayai Bazaar, Imphal on Sunday.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, SWYC secretary Pitter said that the enlisting of the Meetei/Meitei community in the scheduled tribe list is the only means to safeguard this indigenous community. However, the state government not taking any steps to fulfil the standing demand of STDCM is very unfortunate.
The state government should send the recommendations of enlisting Meitei/Meetei in the scheduled tribe list before the imposition of the election code of conduct, he added.
STDCM general secretary, STDCM K Bhogendrajit said that they have been conducting democratic forms of agitations, raising demands to the authority concerned to recognise Meetei/Meitei in the scheduled tribe list. However, the state government could not materialise their demands till date. Such an “irresponsible act” of the state government is highly condemnable, he added.
He further said that the movement is being launched for the sake of the future generations. However, the state government not considering the interest of the committee is highly unfortunate, he added.
The committee may intensify the movement by taking up strong protests if the state government continues to ignore their demands, he further said, urging the authority concerned to send the required recommendations at the earliest.
