ADC members brief CSOs on 6th Schedule
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, October 07 2014: The Autonomous District Council members of Churachandpur today briefed local CSOs on the initiatives they have taken up for realisation of 6th schedule in the hill areas of Manipur and sought their suggestions for their future courses of action.

The ADC members, after the council was revived in 2010, have so far met several State leaders including the Governor and Central leaders from both the UPA and NDA seeking the implementation of 6th Schedule in the State's hill areas like any other tribal areas in the region.

Stressing the need for implementation of 6th Schedule in the hill areas, Langkhanpau Guite, Chairman ADC Churachandpur said the existing ADC lacks complete autonomy making them dependent on the State's mercy and reducing them to mere ornamental heads.

Outlining the various initiatives the ADCs have taken up in the past four years, he said demanding the implementation of 6th schedule provision in toto is one of their main agendas.

On behalf of the ADC members he acknowledged the efforts made by several tribal leaders in the past and felicitated them today.

Also briefing the CSOs, H Mangchinkhup, Executive Member ADC Churachandpur claimed that the ADC in its present form is not capable of protecting the tribal land.

The recent case of Jubilant Oil & Gas signing an MoU for carrying out oil exploration exercise without the knowledge and consent of the tribal people and the ADC or the tribal chiefs and the State Government clandestinely transferring many hill villages in the tribal area which lie within the jurisdiction of the ADC constituencies are some startling evidences in this regard, he said.

He also recalled the installation of ADC in 1973, the subsequent absence of elections due to non-devolution of power in 1989 and its revival after 20 years in 2010 and claimed that communal clashes witnessed in the hill districts and the upsurge in gun-culture all occurred and began during the stages when there was no ADC in the hills.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of ADC Churachandpur Langkhanpau Guite congratulated MC Mary Kom on her Asian Games feat saying she has not only made her home district proud as always but was constantly a motivation for tribal people.

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