Dr. RK Nimai, IAS (Retd) has written an interesting piece on the theme of “Manipur Crisis: Why the ST status is the way forward for the Meiteis”. It was published by Zeenews.india.com on 5th December 2023 and pinned by STDCM on X, on 6th December 2023. He has mentioned problems faced mainly by the Meitei community and that they perceive they possess all the criteria laid down by the Lokur Committee. Besides this he has stated some historical/mythical facts that the present “Manipur” is not the land mentioned in the Mahabharata as it is not situated by the sea shore and that the name “Manipur” was acquired only in the 17th century. He has stated that the Meiteis feel boxed in the tiny valley from all sides as they cannot possess lands in the hill areas. He also stated that the fear of the present ST of being crowded out by Meitei in reservation for posts/seats if they become ST can be protected by adopting a sub-quota formula. He further stated that the Meiteis are largely valley dwelling people and will only occupy small plots of hill land and that the Valley Forest Reserved, declared by the State Darbar in 1932 should be freely allowed to be used by the Meitei community. He concluded by stating that Meitei ST demand movement is non-violent now but fear that it could turn violent if the state government does not examine their demand and recommend the same to the government of India.
Also read | Meiteis’ exclusion from the ST list is by their own choice; Kalelkar Commission Report of 1956
I have written extensively on this matter covering all aspects mainly to educate readers and I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate them for the benefit of interested persons/groups as under:-
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India wrote a letter dated 29.5.2013 to the Government of Manipur responding to a representation of Meitei community for inclusion in the list of ST wherein it requested for specific recommendation along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. The Government of Manipur failed to carry out the new survey and study and submit specific recommendation on the lines as advised by Government of India to date. The letter dated 29.5.2013 is the most important document as it stated clearly to send specific recommendation along with the latest socio-economic survey and ethnographic report. These two ground works have to be carried out by the state government. The former will show if the Meiteis are backward and the latter will show if the Meiteis were a tribe once and are still a tribe today at present time and analysing both together will provide justification if the Meitei community of today can indeed be classified as ST under the Constitution. The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur must pressurise the government to carry out transparent and credible socio-economic survey and ethnographic study. The sooner the socio-economic survey and the ethnographic study are carried out, the uncertainty prevailing in the state about its future will be answered. These two initiatives will provide data and information to answer relevant questions to address the ST demand through a scientific approach.
Editorial | Manipur state does not begin and end in Imphal
The Lokur Committee criteria includes – indications of primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation, shyness of contact with the community at large, and backwardness. A cursory glance at the criteria will show that, except for one criterion of a distinctive culture, the Meitei community may not fulfil the other four criteria. The Meiteis may have been a tribe at one point in time (to be established by a recent ethnographic study) but a cursory look at the progress in education and other fields made by the Meitei community to date, it would appear that they are an advanced and progressive community now.
The educational attainments and achievements of the Meitei community is there for all to see. They are now able to secure jobs through competitive examinations in the IAS, IPS and other all India services under the general category and OBC quota. While the STs of Manipur have failed to secure the coveted posts in past recent years. The Meiteis have a large number of professionals like super specialists doctors, general doctors, engineers, academicians, lawyers, MNC managers, military officers etc. exceeding all other communities put together in Manipur. They are prosperous and wealthy and wield political and administrative power. Their population
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