Inclusion of Meiteis in ST list Tribal students oppose HC orders

Imphal: The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has condemned and opposed the Manipur High Court’s decision, which directed the state government to address the demands of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) recommend adding to the list.

The tribal body alleged that this decision is against the wishes and aspirations of the tribal people.
Terming the High Court’s decision as a one-sided decision that only heard the interests of the petitioners, ATSM general secretary S Andria said, “April 19 is a black letter to the tribal people of Manipur. It’s day.”

The ATSUM directed the state government by the Manipur High Court to convene a meeting of the state’s tribal student organizations in Imphal in the context of recommending the Meitei community’s ST demand to the central government.
“The demand for ST status from the socially and economically advanced community of the state is unwarranted. It deeply disturbs the sense of security of the tribal people, who are otherwise protected under the provisions of the Constitution,” Andria said.

He added that the tribal community in the state is opposing the demand for legitimate reasons that the Methi community, which is a relatively developed community, is not eligible for inclusion as a Scheduled Tribe. This completely defeats the purpose of scheduling groups of people for protective discrimination as STs in the Constitution, he added.
Reaffirming its stand on the demand, the ATSM added that the tribal people of the state will not accept this decision lying down.

The students’ organization also blamed the state government, saying that it was because of their consent that such an earlier decision was passed.

“We will explore all options, including legal means, to prevent the state government from recommending to the central government. We will continue to oppose this demand,” he said.
The tribal organization also demanded the state government to desist from recommending the ST demand as it affects the rights and interests of the tribal people and the demand adversely affects the unity and integrity of the people of the state. Has the ability.

The ATSUM further appealed to the state government to maintain the emotional integrity of the state which would be shattered if the demand for inclusion of Meitei in ST was accepted.
During the meeting, the Tribal Students’ Organization acknowledged the immediate action of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) in keeping with the sentiments, rights and interests of the Scheduled Tribes of Manipur regarding the demand of Meitei ST.
Earlier, the HAC in its meeting held on Thursday decided to oppose the High Court’s order recommending the state government to include the Meiteis/Meetei community in the ST list of the Constitution of India.
HAC Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei alleged that the HAC was neither made a party to the case nor consulted as the constitutional body of the Manipur Hills.
He said that HAC has also never given any recommendation or consent in this matter.
The HAC chairman also said that the Meitei community is already protected under the Constitution of India and is classified as General, Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Caste (SC).
The Committee unanimously urged the State Government and the Government of India to file an appeal against the order of the High Court keeping in mind the sentiments and interests/rights of the Scheduled Tribes of Manipur.