Shangpun Long seeks clarification
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 06, 2012:
With the Government allowing 10 villages located within Saikul AC in Senapati district to cast votes in the forthcoming Panchayat elections even after they were permitted to vote in the last ADC elections, people of the 10 villages have been put in a perplexing condition regarding their status in the context of local self Government.
Talking with TSE, Shangpun Long Chairman Hungyo Koko said that the villages of Irong Ngaobikhong, Somrei, Soraland, Tangkhul Khullen, Komlaching, Lungthar, Sada Khunbi, Heinganglok, Kharan and Phungton were earlier included under Leirongthel Ningel and Lourembam Gram Panchayats.
The villagers were casting their votes in every Gram Panchayat elections.
But in a sudden change of policy, the Government allowed people of the 10 villages to vote in the ADC elections held about two years back.
The villagers are now in a confusing state of mind as they are not sure whether they would still enjoy the right to vote in Panchayat elections.
A public meeting was held on the matter at the Irang Ngoupikhong on August 5. The meeting resolved to asked the Government to let them live either under ADC or Gram Panchayats but do away with the highly confusion ambiguous status.
Given the vagueness of their position regarding their local self government, the 10 villages have been encountering serious obstacles on the path of development and public welfare, said Hungyo Koko.
Saying that the 10 villages have more than 2000 voters, the village chairman appealed to the Government to put them under ADC, away from the jurisdiction of Gram Panchayat.
Highlighting the same appeal, a memorandum would be submitted to the Election Commission, he added.
He urged the Government to put the 10 villages away from the jurisdiction of Gram Panchayat by August 10.