Imphal, April 19 2010: The People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), a political party of Manipur on Monday urged the state government to rectify the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 2008 in a manner that will be acceptable by the tribal people of Manipur.

Thaiba Sanii, genereal secretary of PDA termed the Act 'as a tool to exploit the tribal people of Manipur and rejected the very Act as it is against the interest of the hill people'.

Pledging full support to the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Student Association Manipur (ANSAM) and other tribal frontal organizations and their demands to review 'the defective Amendment Act 2008' in the interest of the people, the PDA said that the Act needs to be rectified before the situation turns worse 'which will affects the emotional integrity and interest of the state'.

Recalling the days of "No 6th Schedule, No election" agitation and due to which the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council elections was put on hold for 20 years, the PDA pointed out that ignoring the hills' tribal people legitimate demand will invite more 'Pandora's box' in future, saying the common people of the state had suffered enough for no faults of them.

but 'due to wrong and delayed decision of the government in the past.

Mention may be made that against the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council-3rd Amendment Act 2008, the All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM)'s had earlier called 6-day economic blockade followed by the ongoing intensified blockade in the state.

The Manipur Tribal Joint Action Committee Against Election Under Unwanted District Council Act has also called a separate 48-hour 'total bandh in all the hill districts of Manipur from the mid-night of April 19 against the Act.