Lakhipuronline Digital Desk, April 21, 2025: In a significant socio-political development for the indigenous communities of the state, the United Manipuri Association, Assam (UMAA) has formally submitted a detailed memorandum to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Assam. The memorandum outlines critical, long-standing demands aimed at the socio-economic and political upliftment of the Manipuri people living in the region. The primary focal points of the appeal include the immediate creation of a separate Manipuri Autonomous Council and the official inclusion of the state's Manipuri community into the Schedule Tribe (Plain) list. This crucial document was handed over to the government through the honorable Hojai MLA, Sj. Ramkrishna Ghosh, on Sunday, April 20th, 2025, marking a historic day for the association.
The 36th Annual General Meeting in Hojai
The formal submission of the memorandum strategically coincided with the grand conclusion of the UMAA's 36th Annual General Meeting. This highly anticipated two-day event took place on April 19th and 20th at the prestigious Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Hall located in Nuton Bazar, Hojai. The meeting served as a powerful democratic backdrop, bringing together community leaders, intellectuals, and representatives from various parts of Assam. The memorandum, officially dated April 20, 2025, represents a renewed and unified push by the UMAA to secure vital constitutional safeguards. These administrative mechanisms are deemed absolutely necessary to ensure the socio-economic, cultural, educational, and political development of the Manipuri community, which has contributed immensely to the rich diversity of Assam for centuries.
Demand for a Manipuri Autonomous Council
In the comprehensively drafted memorandum, which was jointly signed by UMAA President L. Sarat Chandra Singha and General Secretary E. Manitomba Singh, the association strongly appeals to the Chief Minister to "kindly initiate necessary steps" towards fulfilling these historic demands. The passionate call for a Manipuri Autonomous Council is not a new phenomenon; it deeply references the UMAA's consistent democratic and peaceful efforts that were initiated way back in 1992. The document systematically highlights the progressive precedent already set by the Assam government in granting similar autonomous councils to other deserving groups, such as the Moran, Motok, and Rajbongshi communities. The UMAA respectfully urges the state government to provide equitable consideration for the Manipuris, ensuring balanced regional development.
Push for Schedule Tribe (Plain) Status
Furthermore, the UMAA strongly emphasized its parallel demand, which has been actively pursued since the year 2012, for the inclusion of the Manipuri community in the Schedule Tribe (Plain) list under the Constitution of India. The association logically argues that the Manipuri community living in Assam possesses all the distinct anthropological features, geographical isolation traits, and cultural characteristics akin to other communities that are already listed under the ST category. The leadership stressed that granting ST status is not just about economic benefits, but it is fundamentally crucial for preserving their unique cultural identity, traditional language, and ancient customs from the overwhelming wave of modernization within the state.
A Vision for Comprehensive Upliftment
While presenting their grievances, the memorandum also expresses profound gratitude to the current state administration for its past positive actions. Specifically, the UMAA thanked the government for the prior recognition of the Manipuri language as an official language in four major districts of Assam. However, the leaders underscored that while linguistic recognition is appreciated, the creation of an autonomous council and inclusion in the ST list remain the ultimate and vital steps required for true empowerment. These measures are essential for the comprehensive upliftment and survival of what they accurately describe as the "deprived and underprivileged Manipuri Community in Assam." The community now waits with high hopes for a positive response from the Chief Minister's office.
✍️ Published by Lakhipuronline Team