Manipur Tribal Students Stage Protest Demanding Release Of ST Scholarships

IMPHAL: Around 200 tribal students from various colleges in Manipur staged a protest near Raj Bhavan, demanding the immediate release of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) scholarships for 2023-24, according to police reports.

Under the banner of the All College Tribal Students Union (ACTSU), the protesters assembled near GP Women’s College, holding placards and chanting slogans. Security forces stationed at the site prevented them from marching further, resulting in a brief standoff.

To disperse the crowd, police resorted to firing a few teargas shells. “Few students complained about breathing difficulties, but no serious injuries have been reported, " police added.

Speaking to reporters later, student representative G Panmei said, “Our ST scholarships for 2023-24 have not been released yet. We will meet officials of the tribal affairs department later to discuss the situation, and further courses of action will be decided after that.”

Meanwhile, earlier this year, the Mottock organisations on 27 August staged a protest in front of the District Commissioner’s office in Dibrugarh seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for their community. The activists holding placards and banners raised slogans for granting ST status to the community.

The members of five Mottock organisations All Assam Mottock Sanmilan, All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Sanmilan, All Assam Mottock Mahila Parishad, All Assam Mottock Yuba Chatra Parishad and All Assam Mottock Students’ Union assembled in front of the DC office.

The Mottock Community, along with five other ethnic communities in Assam, including the Tai Ahoms, Morans, Koch Rajbongshis, Chutia and Tea Tribes, have been seeking ST status in the state.

ALSO READ: Assam: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes highlights discrimination against ST woman

ALSO WATCH: