The Meetei (Meitei) Tribe Union (MMTU) stands firm, refusing to participate in elections until Meetei/Meitei receives Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. MMTU plans a “No ST No Vote” campaign with like-minded groups.
MMTU questions if elected MLAs and MPs meeting people’s expectations can be called true representatives. They emphasize the duty of representatives to work for the people’s interests.
MMTU highlights the long-standing demand for ST status for Meetei/Meitei. They criticize the government for not submitting the necessary recommendation to verify their status.
The Union criticizes the government for not addressing the conflict between supporters and opponents of Meetei/Meitei’s ST status. They question the credibility of MLAs who avoid discussing the issue.
MMTU expresses disappointment in Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiran Rijiju for blaming Manipur’s violence on the ST status issue.
The Union suspects collusion between the Indian government and some parties to deny ST status to Meetei/Meitei. They urge the Centre to grant ST status without waiting for the State’s recommendation.
MMTU points out Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent promise to include a Pahari ethnic group in Jammu and Kashmir’s ST list during an election rally.
The Union condemns ongoing violence from Kuki narco-terrorists against Meetei/Meitei communities and criticizes the lack of reconciliation efforts between the two groups.
MMTU accuses the Centre and State Government of neglecting violence victims and demands sincere efforts to end the conflict.
They criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on Manipur violence and political parties’ indifference to people’s suffering during election campaigns.
MMTU calls out the Central leadership for ignoring Meetei/Meitei’s ST status demand and leaving Manipur’s fate uncertain.
