MNTF appeals
Source: The Sangai Express
Guwahati, December 29 2016:
The Naga community of Manipur residing in Guwahati has expressed uneasiness with the prevailing situation in Manipur.
Manipur Naga Tribes Forum, Guwahati, in a statement signed by its convenor Bhim Anal and secretary Athishu Jonah, has appealed to the Government of Manipur to reconsider withdrawal of its decision to create seven new districts immediately.
Blaming the State Government for the present unrest in the State, Manipur Naga Tribes Forum, Guwahati, said the Government of Manipur, with an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections, intentionally drove a huge wedge into the fragile socio-ethnic fabric of Manipur by creating seven new districts out of the blue without consulting stake-holders.
The creation of seven new districts is a violation of Article 371C of Indian Constitution under which the Hill Areas Committee has been constituted to help in administering the hill areas of Manipur.
Further, to have 7 more new districts is not viable financially in such a tiny State with no resources to sustain itself and is dependent on Central Government's fund even to pay the monthly salary of its employees, the forum said.
It further appealed to the State Government to resolve the issue amicable and to all the civil societies of different ethnic communities living in Manipur to engage in dialogues and shun violence of any form.