Manipur shuts down as Meitei demand for ST status grows

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Dec. 28 (EMN): Demanding the inclusion of Meitei, a majority community in the list of Scheduled Tribe of India, the Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM) called an 18-hour state-wide shutdown on Tuesday.

In view of the shutdown, which exempted essential services, all roads leading to Imphal wore a desolate look from early morning till the end of the shutdown at 6 pm as local and inter-state transport services suspended their daily activities.

Even the functioning of some government offices and establishments had been affected during the shutdown.

The markets and other business establishments were also shut. However, there was no report of any untoward incidents during the period.

‘Despite being a majority community in Manipur, Meiteis fall under the general category and need constitutional protection to bring about a cohesive and harmonious society in Manipur’, according to STDCM, which has been launching various agitations since 2012.

It may be mentioned that the shutdown was called following a decision during the People’s Convention on December 16.

Earlier, STDCM had served an ultimatum to the Manipur government to send a recommendation for enlistment of Meitei in Scheduled Tribe category.

However, the Manipur government is yet to take a decision.