IMPHAL, July 17 NNN: The demand to grant the Meiteis a Scheduled Tribe (ST) status has kicked up ruckus in Manipur. On wednesday, the UNC and ATSUM said they seriously viewed the development.
The UNC held an emergency meeting and said that it seriously viewed the move of Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) demanding to grant the ST status for the Meiteis while ATSUM is convening a panel discussion on July 27 on the matter.
“UNC views this development as an attempt to infringe upon the rights and existence of the tribals in Manipur and to distort their history,” the Naga body accused, while adding, “We find it surprise that dominant community, i.e the Meiteis demanding a status that have been treated as untouchable and inferior for decades.”
The Naga body then questions the wisdom and statesmanship of the Prime Minister of India for reportedly having given assurance to consider the demand upon obtaining a cabinet approval.
“It may be recalled that the Prime Minister himself had admitted that there has been sharp social divide between the hills and the valley, fully knowing that the Meiteis and tribals are different,” the UNC pointed out.
Meanwhile, ATSUM information secretary Micah Kamei said, “With the STDCM gaining momentum for ST status of the Meiteis and the news that appeared in all the print media about a six member delegation of STDCM to Delhi on July 2 and its immediate response by the Prime Minister under certain conditions, ATSUM will be organizing a panel discussion with scholars, intellectuals, lawyers and social activists on July 27 somewhere In Imphal.” “As the dubious nature of the STDCM has already been circulated in the print media by the All India Tribal Students’ Association, AITSA, the tribal based Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) is skeptical of the intention of the STDCM if it is genuinely for re-defining the historicity of the Meeteis or to avail the opportunity of reservation in jobs,” ATSUM information secretary Micah Kamei stated.
“Hill state or tribal state sounds synonymous although there may be variation of meaning when interpreted in technical terms. To this end, the brethren of the valley need to meticulously re-think before the issue turns volatile,” Micah cautions.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-atsum-opposes-conversion-of-meitei-into-st/
