Imphal, Nov 12: Upholding the movement initiated by Scheduled Tribe Committee of Manipur (STDCM) to add Meetei/Meitei in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of the Constitution, Keishamthong AC MLA Nishikant Singh Sapam has stated that limiting the Meetei/Meitei populace to settle in only about 10 per cent of the total geographical area of Manipur is not fair.
Today, volunteers of STDCM and other organisations visited Nishikant at his Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai residence as a part of its campaign of reaching out to legislators to garner their support in the movement demanding ST tag for Meetei/Meitei.
Must read | New tribal committee in Manipur to defend Tribal Rights
The visiting team was warmly welcomed by the MLA and held discussion on the issue.
During the discussion, Nishikant maintained that he endorses the movement spearheaded by STDCM to secure the future of the ethnic group.
Saying that there, however, is a need to raise the matter with the Central leaders too and discuss the issue at a higher level like Parliament to give more strength to the movement, Nishikant maintained that the majority of the Meetei/Meitei populace seems to be supporting the movement.
Further stating that there is no shortage of issues in Manipur, the MLA continued that the issue which concerns him the most is the land issue.
Also read | CM Biren launches venture fund for ‘Manipur Startup Scheme’ 2.0
Nishikant also stated that the Meetei/Meitei are legitimately allowed to settle only in 10 per cent of the total area of Manipur while those who constitute only 20 per cent of the total population are occupying 90 per cent of the land and “this is not fair.”
“Majority of land in Himachal Pradesh too is hilly region but there the inhabitants are given equal opportunities when it comes to settlement,” the MLA added.
Also read | Ukhrul’s Zeinorin Stephen speaks at UN’s COP27 in Egypt
Continuing that the State will witness a severe crisis if there is a population explosion in the valley areas of Manipur, Nishikant opined that solving the issues at hand is crucial to avoid such an event.
The MLA also said that demand of STDCM focuses on equality and as such it would be wrong to assume that granting ST status to the Meetei/Meitei would be detrimental to those already identified as STs in terms of opportunities.
Also read | Sangai Festival 2022: Former Miss Universe Lara Dutta to visit Manipur, support state’s handloom and textiles industry
Notably, the STDCM, after resuming its movement on August 26 last, carried out sit-in protests at different localities and had decided to visit the residences of Ministers and MLAs as no positive response came from the Government.
Nishikant is not the first legislator the STDCM met over the issue as the committee had also visited Education Minister Th Basantakumar, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand, Fisheries Minister Heikham Dingo, Power Minister Th Biswajit and some other MLAs too.
The STDCM has been urging the State Government to send the ethnography and socio-economic reports of Meetei/Meitei to the Centre to initiate the process of granting ST status to the Meetei/Meitei.
“On sending the recommendation to the Central Government, Power Minister Thongam Biswajit had on November 3 stated that the matter had already been raised before the Central leaders and that they gave a positive response.(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
Popular | Limited VIP tickets for MLTR and Chris Norman & Band are now available
About The Author
