Meetei Tribe Union on Thursday stated that the premature transfer of Acting chief justice of Manipur High Court MV Muralidharan was unfortunate and wished that the coming chief justice would ramp up the legal procedure and give out the final order for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list by analysing the factual documents presented regarding the matter.
Speaking to the media at the union’s office in Imphal, general secretary of the union Mutum Churamani stated that it was highly unfortunate that vested individuals had linked the justice’s transfer to favouring the Meiteis for inclusion in the ST list.
“Some people on social media are linking Muralidharan’s transfer to communal favouritism, which is shocking and untrue. The transfer may be because of Muralidharan’s capabilities and experience which might be suitable for the Kolkata High Court or something entirely different,” he said.
On the other hand, he stated that the demand for inclusion of Meiteis in the ST list was highly reasonable based on factual findings and historical documents.
“Meiteis have been robbed of their constitutional rights for so long and the people who came before us did not know any better. But now it is different and unfortunately some vested groups are intentionally meddling with the issue to stop the inclusion from happening,” he said.
He expressed disappointment over some groups barking a similar tune to bar Meiteis from being included in the ST list.
If they are so against, they should take the matter to court with relevant documents and we will see, he added.
He maintained that the protection of Manipur’s territory depended on the inclusion and further asserted that it would also aid in building unity among the different communities in the Northeast.
If not, Meitei will be outcast, he added.
He also urged the people to recognise this danger and also appealed to the state government to send required recommendations for the inclusion.
