Meetei Community in Assam Seeks ST Status, Hinges on Manipur's Recognition

Guwahati, October 11, 2024 - The Assam State Unit of the World Meetei Council has reiterated its concerns regarding the Meetei community residing in Assam, who they say have no political space in the state. 

In a letter to the Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh, the council stated that the Meeteis in Assam have been advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to protect their identity from being "decimated" in the larger Assam society of over 33 million people. 

However, the council noted that the Assam government has made it clear that the recommendation for ST status for the Meeteis in Assam is contingent upon the recognition of the Meeteis of Manipur as Scheduled Tribes. 

The letter further highlighted that several key communities in Assam are on the verge of being included in the ST list, while the Meeteis living outside Manipur face serious economic and political challenges.

Th. Brajamohan, the President of the Assam State Unit of the World Meetei Council, appealed to the Manipur Chief Minister to include the Meeteis of Manipur in the ST list before the 2026 delimitation of constituencies, which could adversely affect the representation of Meeteis in Manipur due to their declining population.

The council emphasized that as the Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh represents not only the people of his state but also the broader Meetei community across India. The council urged the Chief Minister to take the necessary steps to address their urgent situation.