The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) has thrown its weight behind the All College Tribal Students’ Union, Imphal, in their ongoing protest demanding the immediate release of pending Scheduled Tribe (ST) scholarships.
In a press release, the TYCM condemned the Manipur government’s apathy towards the plight of tribal communities, characterizing the delay in scholarship disbursement as a blatant disregard for the students’ fundamental rights.
The council also raised concerns about the deteriorating state of key tribal institutions such as the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST), and the Tribal Research Institute (TRI). These institutions, it said, are on the brink of collapse due to severe staff shortages and a lack of resources.
The TYCM has called upon all tribal civil society organizations (CSOs) to unite and exert pressure on the government to address the issues. The council emphasized the need for solidarity among tribal groups to secure justice and equality for the tribal communities of Manipur.
The TYCM has urged the government to take immediate action to release the pending scholarships and to revitalize the ailing tribal institutions.