THE Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has given a press release on 21st of February 2024 targeting the memorandum submitted by All Naga Student’s Association, Manipur (ANSAM) to the Hon’ble Governor on 17th February 2024. A news item was published on this matter in The Sangai Express on 22nd February 2024. As a social activist it is felt that the matter needs deeper understanding of the issues involved. This writing on the above context should not be construed as a response from ANSAM but as opinions of a concerned citizen of Manipur.
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The press release termed the stance of ANSAM on the demand of the Meitei community for inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribe (ST) as “unfortunate” and “uncalled for” and this needs to be considered and understood from the perspective of the tribal people living in the “Hill Areas” of Manipur.
It is necessary to understand why many tribals feel unhappy and apprehensive about the demand for ST status for the Meitei community. Recall that the tribes from the “Hill Areas” have been demanding for extension of the Sixth Scheduled to the “Hill Areas” of Manipur since the 1980’s. The demand for extension of the Sixth Schedule to “Hill Areas” of Manipur, which is already enjoyed by many states in the north eastern region, has been obstructed by the state government dominated by the Meitei community for almost 50 years. The state government has already implemented the empowered Panchayati Raj system for the valley districts since 1994 under the 73rd amendment of the Constitution. Its counterpart in the “Hill Areas” is still working under the archaic Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act of 1971. This Act has become outdated and redundant especially after witnessing the powers and functions enjoyed by the Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam state. The words “unfortunate” and “uncalled for” resonates for the tribes too when it comes to opposition to the demand by the tribes for extension of the Sixth Schedule in the “Hill Areas”. The Meitei leadership and community have been opposing and obstructing the demand of the tribes for extension of the Sixth Scheduled to the “Hill Areas” of Manipur. In this case too, the demand of the tribes is in accordance with the constitution of India. Established procedures, modalities and criteria will be followed and it is for the central government and Parliament to consider granting the demand. The political leaders from the “Hill Areas”, student bodies and other tribal bodies have approached the state government several times in the past demanding extension of the Sixth Schedule but to no avail. The tribes also have a right to claim constitutional safeguards as it is their rights for survival and denying it is unjust. One way traffic for consideration of demands only for the Meitei community with total disregard to the demand of the tribals is unacceptable. The benefits have to flow both ways. The demands of both aggrieved parties should be proposed and matter should be left to the central government for its decision.
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The STDCM has deceptively stated that “its demand does not intend to infringe upon the interests of other communities already included in the ST list”. But the beans have been spilled already by the MLAs from the valley that one of the objectives for becoming ST is to possess tribal lands in the “Hill Areas” of Manipur by becoming a ST. For reservation benefits, it has been argued that reservation in government employment and seats in institutes of professional and technical learning can be regulated and it will not harm the interest of those already enjoying the ST reservation benefits. But the rationale extended for land grab that the valley constitute 10% and the hills 90% of Manipur is not convincing. If this is the case, why has all major government infrastructure, state level and central institutes and institutions been located in the imphal valley? Under this logic the hill district headquarters should have been given the lion’s share on account of its land mass. Strengthening the suspicion that the ST demand is primarily for grabbing tribal lands in the “Hill Are
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