The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has strongly condemned the government for not sending recommendation to enlist Meitei or Meetei in the scheduled tribe list before the imposition of election Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Addressing media at its office in Thangmeiband, Imphal on Monday, Laishram Romesh Meitei, Convenor of the Coordinating body of STDCM, said that they have been demanding to recognise Meetei or Meitei in SC list since the time of the Congress in the state. However, even after the coming of the BJP government, the long pending demand is still not addressed, he lamented.
Romesh said due to the commitment shown by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, they developed expectations that at least, during the reign of the BJP government, their demand would be fulfilled.
As such they had urged the government to send the requisite documents before election Model Code of Conduct, but unfortunately, they failed to do so, he added while stating that contradictory action of BJP government has made them to feel emotional.
“When CM said that our demand is genuine and it was high time to consider this issue before the Meetei or Meitei turns into a minority in their own ancestral land, we felt that this government is people centric and understands the sentiment of people. However, now all our trust and expectations have gone. We realised that they are masters in bluffing the public with false propaganda,” he stated.
While appealing to the people of the state to extend their cooperation till the demand is achieved, he said that both Congress and BJP do not bother about protecting ethnic community of Meitei or Meetei with the help of constitutional safeguard. It is now a matter of question as to which political party will save Meitei or Meetei from extinction, he said.
He continued that considering the impact which is to be given when Trans Asian Highways and Railway lines are effectively operational, STDCM will continue the movement until and unless their demand is accomplished. The movement will resume after January 15, he informed.
