World Meetei Council, a Meitei body based in Manipur stated on December 20 that the Central and State government adopted a discriminatory and ignorant attitude towards the indigenous Meitei community which had led to the surge in the sufferings of the community since the violence broke out in May 3, 2023.
"The decades long ignorance of the Government in both state and centre has culminated to the current crisis in Manipur and the immigrant community has threatened the national security of our country. Hence, the government in both state and centre must recognised the rights of the Meetei community by enlisting in the scheduled tribe in the Indian Constitution at the earliest. This is the only way forward for a durable in Manipur", the Council stated during a press conference held at Dispur Press Club, Guwahati on December 20.
Slamming the government for not taking action against the immigrant community, the Council further mentioned "The Meetei are deprived of the rights of citizen in their own state. The discriminatory policy adopted by the centre and state government towards the indigenous Meetei community have created the opportunity to the immigrant community who essentially took the advantage and it looks like today the immigrant community can influence the decisions of the governments in both state and Centre".
Surprised at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over Manipur violence, the Council members stated that if PM Modi is truly concerned about the status of Manipur then he can stop this violence within 24 hours. The government had formed a peace committee. It is not working. We want this war to end".
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