1 lakh turn up to seek ST status for Meiteis

IMPHAL: A sea of humanity on Sunday took to the streets of Imphal city demanding inclusion of the Meeteis or Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe list under provisions of the Indian Constitution.
Organized by the Co-ordinating Body Schedule Tribe Demand Committee, around one lakh protesters began their march from the Thau Ground here, moving through different streets and converging at Hapta Kangjeibung in the palace compound where a public meeting was held.
Police maintained a sharp vigil across Imphal city as a preemptive measure.
Some Imphal-based private hospitals and the Indian Red Cross Society arranged ambulances during the massive rally.
The primary demand, rallyists from all valley districts said, is to bring about peaceful coexistence and communal harmony between all ethnic communities of the state.
All citizens of the state will be given equal opportunity and the right to protect their land once the demand is complied with, they added.
The meeting decided to urge the Okram Ibobi Singh government to send a recommendation to the Centre with necessary dossiers for incorporating Meiteis in the ST category by next month.
Attended by hordes of academicians, retired high-ranking officials and social activists, the meeting resolved to launch various forms of agitation if the state government fails to comply with the decision arrived at by the rallyists at the meeting.