ST is only way forward : WMC, Assam unit

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 17 : Saying that granting Scheduled Tribe  (ST) status to Meeteis of Manipur is a prerequisite to recommend enlistment of Meeteis living in Assam in the ST list of the Constitution, the Assam unit of the World Meetei Council has urged Chief Minister N Biren Singh to take up necessary action to include the Meeteis of Manipur in the ST list before the proposed delimitation in 2026.
In a statement jointly issued by its Assam unit and Hojai District Committee, the Council said that the Meetei community residing in Hojai and Assam in general has no political space in Assam.
The WMC said the Meeteis living in Assam have been seeking ST status predating similar demand from Meeteis in Manipur to protect their identity from being decimated in the neighbouring State (Assam) whose population is estimated to be about  3.3 crore.
The Assam Government had made it clear that the recommendation for ST status for the Meeteis in Assam is contingent upon the recognition of the Meeteis of Manipur as a Scheduled Tribe, it added.
Saying that several communities in Assam are on the verge of getting ST status, the WMC  added that the Meeteis living outside Manipur have been facing serious economic and political challenges. The Council added, "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."
Continuing that the situation of Meeteis in Assam is in critical condition, the Council  urged the Chief Minister to do the needful to include the Meeteis of Manipur in the ST list before the 2026 delimitation so that Meeteis in Assam may also get the Constitutional  safeguard.