Meiteis protest in Silchar demanding autonomous council
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Silchar: The Meitei Manipuri community of Assam's Barak Valley on Thursday staged a sit-in protest in Silchar, renewing their long-standing demand for a Manipuri autonomous council in the state.
The demonstration, held at the Khudiram Bose statue in Club Road, was organised by the Manipuri Autonomous Council Demand Coordination Committee, which raised slogans and submitted a memorandum to press for their demands.
Protesters said the demand for an autonomous council stems from the community's need for better political, social and economic representation. "Despite having a population of around five to six lakh in Assam, the Meitei Manipuri community has no representation in the state assembly or in Parliament," said committee chairman K Shanti Kumar Singh.
"This lack of representation has led to systemic deprivation, much like what was earlier experienced by other communities such as the Morans, Motaks, and Koch Rajbongshis.
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Citing precedents, Singh said that in 2020, the Assam govt created autonomous councils for the Moran, Motak and Koch Rajbongshi communities. "Our numbers are more than even the Dimasas who already have an autonomous council. If these communities can get their councils, why not us?" he questioned.
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The protesters also recalled an assurance made on March 9, 2021, by then health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma — now the chief minister — in the presence of Manipur's former CM N Biren Singh, promising the formation of a Manipuri autonomous council. However, they alleged that no concrete steps have been taken since, fueling the present agitation.
"The chief minister must fulfil the commitment he made. We are Manipuris of Assam, not of Manipur," Singh added, addressing concerns about regional overlap. The memorandum submitted through the Cachar district commissioner outlined their demands and warned of intensified protests if the issue remains unaddressed.
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