Kuki Committee demands of 6th Schedule in hill areas
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 20 2015 :
Kuki (Khulmi) Development Council Demand Committee Manipur has demanded the State Government to implement 6th Schedule in the hill areas of Manipur as the council hoped that doing so 'will also bring permanent political solution to all tribal people without hurting the territorial integrity of Manipur' .
In a statement, the committee said that a memorandum for the creation of Kuki (Khulmi) Development Council comprising of Churachandpur, Chandel and Sadar Hills portion of Senapati district was submitted to Chief Minister O Ibobi on October 15, 2010 as the final political solution with Kuki undergrounds under SoO.
However, no positive response came from the Government till date.
In such a response, the Khulmi public in general is doubting whether the State Government is really interested in solving the problem with underground group under Suspension of Operation (SoO) .
The political settlement with hill-based UGs shall be achieved only when the 6th Schedule of Indian Constitution is extended to all the existing six Autonomous District Councils namely Chandel, Ukhrul, Senapati, Sadar Hills and Churachandpur with 'full Legislative, Financial and Executive powers', it added.
The committee also suggested that the Government should invite civil organisations of both Kukis and Nagas and also all the hill-based underground groups to the table for talks.
It further appealed to the Government not to render mere lip service anymore and should act out in real at the earliest.
The release also reminded the main objective of the incumbent government since its beginning is understood to be 'Equal Development for both the valley and hills of Manipur'.
It appealed that implementing the 6th Schedule will fructify this objective of the government.