A public convention organized by the Schedule Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) was forcibly interrupted on Sunday by proscribed outfits in Imphal. The event, intended to discuss the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list under the Indian Constitution, was postponed due to threats received from two underground groups.
STDCM convenor Waikhom Ananda reported that the threats were communicated via telephone on the day of the convention. The outfits demanded the immediate cessation of the event, leading the organizers to halt proceedings to ensure the safety of attendees. “The threats were explicit, and we could not risk the safety of our members and the public,” Ananda stated.
The convention was convened to strategize and mobilize support for the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the ST list, a demand that has been a long-standing issue for the group. The inclusion is seen as a way to provide constitutional safeguards and benefits to the community, which the STDCM argues has been marginalized over the years.
Despite the disruption, STDCM members and supporters remain undeterred. Ananda emphasized the committee’s commitment to their cause, urging community members to continue their advocacy. The interruption of the convention has drawn strong reactions from various civil society organizations and individuals who were present at the event.
The STDCM has been at the forefront of the movement for the Meitei/Meetei community’s inclusion in the ST list. The community, which predominantly resides in the Imphal Valley, seeks the same recognition and benefits as other Scheduled Tribes in India. The demand has seen varying degrees of support and opposition over the years, with the STDCM organizing numerous events and campaigns to garner support.
The postponement of the STDCM’s public convention highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Meitei/Meetei community in their quest for Scheduled Tribe status. As the STDCM vows to continue its efforts, the incident underscores the delicate balance between advocating for community rights and navigating the threats posed by proscribed outfits in the region.
