Imphal: In an effort to strengthen their movement demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei/Meetei Community of Manipur, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur, STDCM, launched its official website at Hotel Phouwoibi in Imphal on Saturday. STDCM is inviting public suggestions and engagement to support their cause through the newly launched website at stdcm.org
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During the launch event, STDCM president Yumnam Dhiraj highlighted the pressing need to prioritize the protection of oneself and Meitei villages in light of the ongoing unrest in Manipur. He mentioned that, following a consultative meeting held on May 21, the STDCM has been actively supporting the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) in various ways to address the prevailing crisis. STDCM members have also been visiting areas affected by violence on the outskirts of the state and deliberating on relief measures for the affected people, he added.
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The STDCM president noted that a bill concerning the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by 41 communities, including the Tai Ahom of Assam, was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on January 9, 2019. This bill is still pending and might be passed in the parliament in the near future. If passed, it would mean that the indigenous Meitei/Meetei community would be the only community in the North East region not enlisted on the ST list, he said. Dhiraj further mentioned that STDCM has submitted a reminder to the Manipur chief minister, urging him to send a recommendation to the central government for the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community on the Scheduled Tribe list.
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