Giving the presidential address, Chairman of WMC Heigrujam Nabashyam stressed the need for inclusion of Meeteis in the ST list and further briefed on declining Meetei population and upcoming delimitation exercise in 2026, stated WMC in a release on Saturday.

He also urged the Manipur chief minister to send the two reports, viz the Ethnography and socio-economic reports without further delay, it stated.

WMC also felicitated two distinguished Meeteis with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, it mentioned. The awards were conferred to UK based renowned medical professional Dr Irengbam Mohendro Singh and USA based Waikhom Sanahanbi Devi for their lifetime services and achievements, it stated.

Attendees at the conference also observed two-minute silence as a mark of respect to those killed during the prevailing violence, it added.