Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh told the Assembly on Monday that the BJP-led coalition government will give “positive consideration” to the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis, a non-tribal indigenous community, in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Replying to a calling attention motion by K. Meghachandra of the Congress, Mr. Singh said there are some issues over the demand and the government is merely seeking time to discuss them minutely.
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee has been resorting to various forms of agitations in the State, demanding ST status for the Meiteis. On Sunday it organised a massive protest rally in Imphal and later a public meeting on the issue. The meeting took three resolutions — the government should send a recommendation to the Centre favouring the inclusion of the Meiteis in the ST list by March 6; candidates in the LS polls from the two seats in the State should support the demand; and people shall not vote for those who do not support this demand.
