ATSUM reminds Govt on ADC polls
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29 2020:
As the term of office of the ADC Members are set to expire on November 30, the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has warned that their suspended/deferred agitation will be resumed if the State Government does not take up necessary preparations for holding ADC elections at the earliest.
Addressing a press meet held today at its Adimjati complex office, ATSUM general secretary, SR Andrea reminded that an agreement was reached between the student body and the Government on November 4 for holding ADC elections on time.
The Hill Areas Committee (HAC) too had taken a resolution on October 8 to hold the ADC elections on time which was later backed by the State Government, he added.
He further informed that the State Cabinet meeting convened on November 10 had also decided not to further extend the tenure of the incumbent ADC Members after its expiry on November 30 and hold the ADC elections on time.
"However, the hill people and ATSUM could not feel any tangible action or preparation being taken up for holding the ADC elections," he lamented.
Conveying that the tenure of the incumbent ADC Members which was extended for six months from June 1 this year will expire on November 30, Andrea questioned whether the posts of ADC Members will be left vacant following the expiry of the tenure of the ADC Members.
While noting that the ADCs are institutions set up for governance in hill districts under the Constitution of India, the general secretary maintained that deferring the ADC elections amounts to subjugating the Constitutional rights of the tribal people in hill districts.
The ATSUM general secretary then warned that the student union will soon resume its suspended agitation if the State Government does not take up necessary preparation to hold the elections at the earliest.
He also asked to let the people know if there is any preparation or measures being taken up by the State Government for conducting the elections.