STDCM continues protest

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 25 : The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee, Manipur (STDCM) continued its protest by organising a sit-in at Uripok Chakrikom today.
Organised in association with the STDCM’s Uripok Branch, the protest was attended  by STDCM vice president L Lokendro; CBSTDCM convenor L Romesh, advisor H Jayentakumar and general secretary K Bhogendrajit Singh.
Reiterating their demand that the State Government should do the needful and send the required recommendation to the Centre to give Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Meetei/Meitei community, the STDCM members said the Government shouldn’t wait for more stringent form of agitation by the people.
“The Government shouldn’t wait for more stringent forms of agitation. It should take up the necessary steps and send the recommendation to the Government of India when STDCM and people are staging protests in democratic ways only,” said L Romesh.
He continued that the failure to send the recommendation sought by the Government of India even after 4-5 years is unfortunate.
The Meetei/Meitei community need ST status to protect their land and identity. The community should be included in the list to provide Constitutional protection, he said.
He also reiterated that the demand for ST status is not directed against any community and organisation, but a step to foster peaceful coexistence of all the communities.