Imphal, July 29 -- The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has once again pressed for the inclusion of the Meitei/Meetei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list of India, describing it as vital for their survival in Manipur's multi-ethnic landscape.

In a press release, the STDCM urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to prioritize the issue and called on both the State and Central Governments to take urgent steps to address the long-standing demand.

The committee emphasized that the appeal for ST status is not intended to infringe on the rights or privileges of the other 33 officially recognized tribes in Manipur, which together comprise approximately 41% of the state's population. The Meitei community, meanwhile, makes up ...