WMC Assam unit urges CM BirenStand of Sarma on ST for Meiteis spelt out

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 11: The World Meetei Council (WMC), Assam State unit has urged Chief Minister N Biren to do the needful to include the Meeteis of Manipur in the ST list before the 2026 delimitation.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister N Biren, the WMC Assam State unit expressed serious concerns regarding the Meetei community residing in Assam who has no political space in the State of Assam.
“To protect our identity from being decimated in the huge Assam society of 3.3 crore population, we have been advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Assam for a considerable time, predating similar demands from Meeteis in Manipur”, it said.
The Assam Government has made it clear that recommendation for ST status for the Meeteis in Assam is contingent upon the recognition of the Meeteis of Manipur as a Scheduled Tribe, it said.
It also pointed out that several communities in Assam are on the verge of being included in the ST list.
The WMC Assam State unit said that Meeteis living outside Manipur face serious economic and political challenges.
“We believe that, as the Chief Minister of Manipur, you represent not only the people of your State but also the broader Meetei community across India”, it said.
“Our situation is urgent, specially with the impending delimitation of Constituencies in 2026 which could adversely affect the representation of Meeteis in Manipur, given the declining population”, it added.
It then urged the Chief Minister to do the needful to include the Meeteis of Manipur in the ST list before the 2026 delimitation so that the Meeteis of Assam may also be included in the ST list.