Newmai News Network


Imphal | April 3 : Serious impediments are on the way of the state government’s move to conduct polls for the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in Manipur hills as influential organisations have lined up their course of action as they term the present status as the ‘imposed legislation’ with special reference to the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and amended in 2008 which they claimed as ‘rejected outrightly’ by the people.

Apart from the United Naga Council (UNC) led Naga frontal organisations’ objection to the act, the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), a political party based in Manipur hills has on Saturday, urged the government of Manipur to amend the “Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act”.
It is also worth noting that a Division Bench of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench had admitted a writ petition filed by three individuals saying that the conducting of the ADC elections in the present status is illegal. The respondent in this case is the government of Manipur to which the hearing will be held on May 4.
Meanwhile, the PDA said that its measure has been to upgrade the status of the hill district council with autonomy.

“The 3rd Amendment of the Act in 2008 only restored the original status of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971. The 1st Amendment in the year 2000 which gave autonomy was repealed by the 2nd Amendment in 2001 while the 3rd Amendment in 2008 can be termed as mockery against the interest of the hill people,” said PDA general secretary Thaiba Sanii.
Hinting his party’s support to the Naga frontal organisations’ sponsored ‘chakka bandh’ on April 6, the PDA leader said,” The 12-hour Manipur hill areas ‘chakka bandh’ on 6 called by the United Naga Council (UNC) All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Naga People Organisation (Senapati), Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB) and Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), has been to protest against the imposition of election on the basis of the status of the Act of 1971 i.e 3rd amendment, 2008. PDA urges the state government to review the decision for holding election in view of the agitation”.

While driving home its point, the PDA said that there have been 20 years long boycott and demand for the Sixth Scheduled provision of the Constitution of India for the autonomous districts in Manipur and questioned the rationale behind the step to hold election on the plank of 1971 status. “This party also reminded the need of strong and honest political will on the part of Hill Areas Committee (HAC) which is empowered by Article 371 (C) of Indian Constitution,” asserted the People’s Democratic Alliance.