Continuing their demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in Schedule Tribe list of the Indian Constitution, the Scheduled Tribes Demand Committee (STDCM) on Wednesday took out a protest rally along India-Myanmar National Highway-102, from Kakwa Keithel to Kakwa Naorem Leikai.
Speaking to the media, STDCM acting president Laishram Lokendro highlighted that the rally was organised to raise a collective voice for the demand which would echo in the hall of the present state Assembly session.
“It is our priority to make the issue reach the Assembly’s floor before it ends on Friday,” he said.
Lamenting the failure of representatives to table the issue on the Assembly’s floor, he maintained that the STDCM would continue the agitations until their demands are met.
“State government’s failure to send appropriate recommendations is the only obstacle hindering the demand from materialising,” he added.
Secretary of Kakwa Keithel, Huidrom Bilashini, stated that members of the Keithel committee will continue to extend their support for the STDCM movement until it is resolved.
She lambasted the authorities concerned for remaining silent on the issue and said that the demand will have huge implications on the survival of the Meitei/Meetei community.
She urged the Manipur government to send the required recommendations and strive to provide constitutional safeguard for all indigenous populace in the state.
Later, Kakwa Police personnel stopped the rally on the return leg at Kakwa Keithel. No untoward incidents were reported.
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