Appeal to govt of Manipur for recommendation of ST inclusion

October 17, 2021

While WMC is fully aware of the predicament of the Manipur government in the matter of recommendation of the Meetei community to the Centre to include them in the list of Scheduled Tribes of the Indian Constitution, WMC is also observing the developments in Manipur.

In the next few weeks WMC would make attempts to avow to all the concerned that Meetei people are native indigenous people whose ethnography would qualify the necessary criteria given by Lokur Committee.

WMC can also state with full conviction that neither the Manipur government nor any entity can do injustice against the Meetei people by denying or opposing their rights to be included in the list of Scheduled Tribes which could protect the sinking Meetei community from decimation.

WMC would also like to caution those who try to misrepresent the Meetei as an advanced, competent and competitive people who do not need constitutional protection in the vast sea of 1.3 billion strong Indian population.

The fact of the matter is that Meetei people living in some 1500 sq km of the liveable area of the valley of Manipur along with all other communities are not even rightful citizens in their own state of Manipur, though the Chief Minister happen to be a Meetei who cannot approve even a recommendation letter. This is the reality. This is something WMC cannot accept in any manner and we are ready to take on anything for our children.

Finally WMC earnestly appeal to the government of Manipur to send the necessary recommendation to the Centre to save this sinking community from decimation at the earliest.

Yambem Arun Meetei
Secretary General
CEC - World Meetei Council