NPF warns hill bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 22 2015 :
The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) has warned of imposing a total bandh in the hill districts on July 27 if the State Govt fails to facilitate formation of Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the six ADCs before July 25 .
Addressing media persons today at NPF Manipur unit office located at Dewlahland, State unit president of NPF, Awangbou Newmai said that the whole ADC election process was earlier notified to be completed by June 17 last.
As such, poll results were declared on June 10 .
However, the elected members were only sworn in on July 13 .
There is also a report that another swearing-in ceremony would be held on July 24 for those elected council members who have not been administered oath on July 13, Awangbou said.
The concern is the delay in formation of the council even after the members were sworn in at respective district headquarters, he said.
All the elected members could have been sworn in at respective district headquarters by providing adequate security if at all there is any threat perception on them, he said.
As such, it is pertinent to question whether the Govt is unable to provide security to ADC members or deliberately delaying formation of the councils, the NPF president said.
Equal development will not be possible in Manipur unless full autonomy is given to the ADCs, he said while adding that the delay in council formations is a blot on democracy which also smacks of disregarding people's rights.
As such, the NPF will impose a toal bandh in the hill districts on July 27 if the Govt fails to form the council in the six ADCs �Chandel, Churachandpur, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul, within July 25 .
The party will also launch other forms of agitation.
The NPF also endorsed the demand for ILPS or similar legislation for the protection of indigenous people of the State, Awangbou said while adding that the party will not remain silent in case the indigenous people's rights are violated.