No political will : STDCM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 24 : The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) has asserted that the incumbent Chief Minister lacks political will to address their demand, on the 5th day of its series of protests today.
Today's protest was staged at Lalambung Pung Makhong in association with Lalambung Youth Volunteer Association, Khwai Lalambung Makhong Nisa Band Marup and Lalambung Development Committee.
At the demonstration, STDCM vice president L Lokendro asserted that not sending the required recommendation for granting ST status to Meetei/Meitei to the Centre till date indicates the lack of political will of the Chief Minister.
N Biren used to support the ST status demand for the Meetei/Meitei before holding the current position, but he is the CM now and not sending the recommendations till date is disappointing, he rued.
He then appealed to N Biren to send the recommendation to ensure Constitutional protection of Meeteis/Meeteis at the earliest.
Meanwhile, advisor to STDCM, H Jayentakumar countered the alleged charges levelled by a section of people that the socio economic condition of Meitei/Meetei has improved considerably as compared to past, by asking from which date/day the Meitei/Meetei is considered a privileged group.
He then appealed to all concerned not to take side while making comments on this issue.
Later, the protesters raised a slogan demanding ST status for Meetei/Meitei.