ST Status to Meiteis: ATSUM Meets Union Tribal Affairs Min Against STDCM Demand

The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) called on Union minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda, in New Delhi and apprised him of the alleged threat and insecurity felt by the tribal people of Manipur.

The ATSUM during the talks with the Union Minister attributed the threat to the ‘illogical and illegitimate’ demand of the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur for inclusion of Meitei community into the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. In this regard, ATSUM also submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister pointing out the valid reasons as to why the Meitei community should not be given ST status.

After a patient hearing, Union Tribal Affairs minister Arjun Munda assured the ATSUM team to remain calm, saying that as the matter being constitutional it will be examined minutely before any decision is made.

On November 15, ATSUM president Paotinthang had said, ”The government should not recommend something which is illogical and illegitimate in the eyes of Justice.”

Not only this, the All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) also appealed the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) to refrain from demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

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