Manipur HC directs state Govt to submit recommendations for inclusion of Meetei/Meitei in ST list of India

While STDCM has welcome the Court’s order, several tribal groups and student bodies such as- ATSUM, ANSAM and KSO are not happy with the order

Reported by Donald Sairem

In a milestone achievement for the Meetei/Meitei community of Manipur, the Manipur High Court has asked the state government to submit recommendations for the inclusion of the community in the ST list. This has been a long-standing demand of the community.

The Court has directed the state Government to consider the case preferably within a period of four weeks from today.

Reacting to the Court’s decision, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) working president Laishram Lokendra welcomed the High Court’s order. He also expressed optimism that the state government will act appropriately and endorse the community’s inclusion on the ST list.

Meanwhile, several tribal groups and student bodies such as- All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM), All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students‘ Organisation (KSO) etc are not happy with High Court’s order and raised strong objections to the demand for the inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST list.

ATSUM met the Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda yesterday in Imphal and appraised the Minister about the ATSUM’s stiff opposition over the Meitei ST demand, said ATSUM to Northeast Live.

Reacting to the Court order, ATSUM has decided to discuss the matter minutely as a legal process is involved in the issue.

COMMENTS