ATRPFM calls total shut down
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08 2018:
The All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has called a total shut down in all hill districts of the State from 6 am of September 14 till 7 pm of September 15 against constitution of a Cabinet sub-committee by the State Government on August 23 to look after the functions of Tamenglong, Senapati and Churachandpur ADCs.
A statement issued by ATRPFM general secretary James Haokip said that ADCs are under HAC and TA & Hills.
Thus, the matter has to be referred to the HAC, not before the Cabinet.
Even if constitution of a committee becomes necessary, such committee shall be under the Chairmanship of TA & Hills Minister, not under any other Minister as Ministers are of the same rank.
But the Chief Minister has made the PWD Minister as Chairman of the said committee which contravenes all norms applicable to Ministers.
Politics shall not infringe upon constitutional rights of any section of the society.
Constitution of such a committee was not necessary at all because Tamenglong and Senapati ADCs have Court cases in the High Court of Manipur and the Cabinet cannot discuss the matter and their decision would not be applicable, it said.
Now, the crisis of the Tamenglong ADC has been settled by the High Court of Manipur.
With regard to Churachandpur, the former Chairman resigned himself as he has no numbers.
Accordingly, a leader of a majority party has to be elected as Chairman, but due to political biasness of the Chief Minister and a particular tribal Minister, election cannot be held till date.
Constitution of such a committee contravenes Article 371C, it asserted.
"Now we have exhausted all peaceful means to settle the matter and we are compelled to take up agitation to protect our rights.
Taking such extreme step was never our intention but when there are unreasonable and unnecessary constitutional violations, and peaceful approaches are not heard by the Government, we have no other means except total shutdown of all hill districts", ATRPFM said.
Medical services, water supply, fire service and those who have already booked flight tickets would be exempted from the purview of the total shut down, it conveyed.
All tribal apex bodies, civil organisations, student bodies, village authorities, and individuals are requested to give their supports for this genuine cause, it added.