IMPHAL, May 14: A public convention under the banner People’s Convention on “Scheduled Tribe Status on Manipur” held today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen urged the ST demand committee to come out with a clearer picture on their demand before adding the demand should be consensus.
The convention organised by the Protection and Preservation of Committee, Manipur (PPCM) was participated several civil bodies leader, intellectuals etc.
The convention was presided by Dr Y Mani Khuman, convenor of PPCM while Dr Arambam Lokendra, former head of department A.V.R.C, Manipur University.
Speaking during the convention, Dr Th Chandramani, branded the issue as sensitive which resulted from trust of deficit amongst the people.
Before digging deep into the issue one must first define the word tribal (technically) as laid down in the constitution, he said.
He further observed that Merit and de-merit of the demand for ST is another area needs to be accessed by the people.
NC Khuman, former secretary of AMUCO, claimed they are not against the ST demand as everybody has right to demand anything given the fact that we are living in a democracy.
However, if the committee demanding ST status leaning towards imposing to endorse demand we will not remain as silent spectator, he asserted.
Dr Homen Thangjam, lecturer MB College, implicated that the ST demand is device by ignorant group with vested interest in total disregard to the sentiment of the people.
Riangsosa Koireng, advisor of AMESCO, opined that the demand for ST is like rubbing salt on wounds.
He questioned whether the committee is aware of the adverse effect of the demand on the hard earned status like inclusion of Manipur language in 8th schedule, world renowned classical dances etc.
Equally reacting to the demand, Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam, claimed that the demand for ST at the present juncture is not a healthy sign when leaders of neighbouring states are openly voicing that the Manipur Government is communal.
If the objective of the demand is for resurgent Manipur with equality and communal harmony, he suggested that pre-merger status is the best option.
Finding the root cause of what prompted the demand is the priority according to Dr Chinglen Meisnam.
Social scientist, Dr Dhanabir Laishram, urged the politician to stop politicizing any issue be it ST demand or others confronting Manipur while claiming that ‘issue base’ politics have always been the main culprit building the barrier of complexity in Manipur.
When the matter is pertinent to discussion about Manipur, re-colonisation and de-colonisation are two main component needed to be accessed closely, he asserted.