In a meeting with the representatives of Manipur Schedule tribe Demand Committee, Thoubal branch, former minister, Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that Meitei community should be counted as a scheduled tribe. As per the constitution, there are few essential characteristics of a scheduled tribe and Meitei community suffices all such characteristics. This meeting held at his home.   
The former minister said that this is really unfortunate that this community is in the list of the general category. This demand of adding Meetie/Meitei community into scheduled tribe list is absolutely correct.
Old records have signs that direct us about the fact related to this community. This was a tribe and adopted Hinduism. But, this is not in the scheduled tribe list because of the pride of few members and their assumption that they are from a great race. In old records, we can see that people from this tribe community used to presume themselves greater than Britishers too. Now, this community has realised its true characteristics and people from this community want to be included in the ST list.
Dr. Nimaichand Luwang said that people from the hilly area are nowadays having lots of difference with people from valley area. Considering the current state of affairs in our state, I would suggest to work upon this demand. Existing differences between hilly and valley people can also be reduced by accepting this demand. There are rumours that few communities which had been added as SC in the list were supposed to be in general category. However, some politicians have deliberately enlisted them into SC list.
Vice president, Manipur Schedule Tribe Demand Committee, Thoubal Branch, Y.Nilamani, Treasurer,  S. Kindicha, executive member, M.Totomsana and several others were present in this meeting.