Manipur: Demand for ST status may not bring very conducive kind of situation, says ATSUM

The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has said that the demand for ST status by the Meiteis and the Meitei Pangals may give rise to a situation which may not be very conducive for the state.

Speaking to Northeast Live, ATSUM general secretary SR Andria said, “This meeting is convened because we have a demand from the Meitei and the Meitei Pangals to be listed as the ST category. The tribals have a fear as well as a kind of thing which goes on because of this demand, which we feel that may bring not very conducive kind of situation in the state.”

The ATSUM leader further said, “So we feel that as a tribal organizational state, we feel that we have to come together, we have to try, seek a common kind of thing where we have to face the situation, that is the only reason why we convened the meeting.”

When asked if there will be any resolution of the issue, ATSUM general secretary SR Andria responded by saying, “That is what we have expected. Definitely we are expecting to find a common kind of approach where we will try to deal cordially to the demand of the ST status.”

According to inputs, the Meitei Pangal community has recently joined the agitation seeking ST status.
It may be mentioned that the apex students body has convened a Tribal Consultative Meeting on Thursday to discuss the Meitei community’s demand for ST status. The apex students body is expecting the participation of all the tribal leaders, civil society organisations, academicians, intellectuals as well as other stakeholders of the tribal community.

Worth mentioning that ATSUM is vehemently opposing STDCM’s demand of granting ST status to the Meiteis saying that the demand is illogical and illegitimate and will create further division in the society.

A delegation of ATSUM had also met Union ministers including Tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda last year and conveyed as to why the demand for ST status to Meiteis should not be paid heed to. Besides the ATSUM also handed over memorandums to Manipur cabinet ministers.

The ATSUM leaders had urged the ministers (Union & state) not to support the STDCM’s demand or recommend any resolution backing the STDCM’s demand and requested them to stand for tribal integrity.

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