Inclusion of Chandel villages in Sugnu SDC circle MLA N Victor, BD Behring cry foul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2015:
Reacting to the news item published in local dailies wherein it stated that the State Government is considering to include Toupokpi, Mahou (Tera) and Tonsen Khullen in the proposed Sugnu SDC Circle under Waikhong Sub-Division, Thoubal district, Chandel AC MLA ST Nunghlung Victor today questioned the State Government why the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) was not consulted in the matter.
In a statement, MLA Nunghlung Victor said that though the step will be helpful to the people, the State Government should know the fact that hill and plain areas of Manipur are governed by separate Acts.
When the administration and governance of hill and plain areas are covered under separate Acts, why would the State Government include hill villages in order to expand plain districts without the approval of HAC, the MLA questioned.
The MLA added that the villages of hill district Chandel which is under HAC and ADC should not be brought under SDC Circle of plain district which is governed by MLR & LR Act and Panchayati Raj Act 1975 in the interest of peaceful co-existence.
In the meantime, ex Rajya Sabha MP and ex MLA BD Behring has also urged the State Government to exclude hill villages of Chandel from the proposed Sugnu SDC Circle.
BD Behring stated that since instances where hill villages are counted under valley district have been reported in Chandel and Thoubal districts and between Senapati district and Lamsang Sub-Division, he had brought the matter to the attention of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Government of India to rectify the issue.
He further said that the Manipur Census Department had also been intimated to rectify the issue.
Undertaking such step by the State Government despite being aware of the reality is very unfortunate, he added.