Ukhrul: The World Meetei Council (WMC) has sent an urgent appeal to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, requesting immediate submission of two pivotal reports regarding the Meetei community’s ethnic and socio-economic status. The submission of these reports, WMC describes is deemed essential for the Meetei’s inclusion in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST), a move that the community has been advocating for years.
In the letter addressed to CM Biren Singh, WMC Chairperson Heigrujam Nabashyam stated the delay in submitting the reports, attributing it to the ongoing communal unrest in the state. He stated that the Centre’s imposition of a crisis should not serve as an excuse for the lack of progress on the Meetei community’s ST status.
The letter further referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling on reservations, which addresses concerns about unfair competition between tribes. He pointed out that the ruling allows for sub-quotas within larger quotas, ensuring that granting the Meetei community ST status would not result in an unequal distribution of benefits, as previously feared.
The letter also raised concerns about a faction of individuals, allegedly with the Chief Minister’s support, attempting to undermine WMC’s efforts by organizing an event at the City Convention Centre in Imphal. Despite these actions, Nabashyam reaffirmed the council’s resolve to secure Scheduled Tribe status for the Meetei people, particularly in light of the upcoming 2026 Delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary seats.
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WMC warned that if the Meetei community is not included in the ST list before the Delimitation, it could have severe long-term consequences for the community’s political and social standing. “With the 2026 Delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary seats approaching, the fate of the Meetei community hangs in the balance. If the Delimitation process occurs before the inclusion of the Meetei
in the ST list, it will have far-reaching negative consequences for our community,” says the letter to CM.
WMC calling for the expeditious submission of the reports to the Government of India, hinting at potential political repercussions if the issue remains unresolved, states, “Should this matter remain unresolved, WMC may be left with no option but to request your resignation and seek leadership that can champion our cause.”
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