IMPHAL, Dec 16: “Since the past many years the Meeteis have always maintained silence against the various demands made by other the communities of the state for a separate ‘homeland or alternative arrangement’ within the present state of Manipur. This is all because we consider ourselves (Meeteis) as the big brother among the communities residing in the state and we have so much love and affection for the other communities.”
This was said by the International Meeties Forum president RK Rajendro singh at a press meet held today at Manipur Press Club.
He further said that the forum is totally against the implementation of ‘sixth schedule’ in the state. He charged the government that it is changing the constitution in whatever way they wish and also said that the Centre is playing divide and rule policy among the various communities residing in the state. The forum will not remain as a silent spectator against such policies of the Centre, he said.
Thokchom Manoranjan, an executive member of the forum, while saying that the government provides special care for the Minorities, Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe and they also received lots of funding from the government for a better lifestyle, questioned where all these funds go.
He further said that the Meeteis have nothing to do with the fund misused issue in Tribal development projects saying that all the funds are being taken out by their own people as all the high ranking officers are from their own communities only.
The press conference was also attended by other members of the forum including Thokchom Bukulbihari and Manoranjan Khuman.