UADC poses a dilemmatic jigsaw for Naga groups
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, July 07 2013: For the belligerent Naga groups that have declared the incumbent Autonomous District Councils (ADC) as "null and void" in the Naga areas, the public interest litigation (PIL) against the Ukhrul ADC has generated an intriguing debate.

A well-placed source stated the Naga groups are purportedly having differing opinions on the PIL against the UADC filed at Gauhati High Court in October 2011 .

The litigation, which contented for in toto implementation of the MHADC (1971 Act), has been transferred to and remained pending in the newly instituted the High Court of Manipur.

There are reports that a section of Naga organisations is in calculative mood over the possible court's order and eventual impact on Ukhrul in case the UADC is asked to function under heavy security blanket in the district headquarters.

"The Naga group is apprehensive of heavy deployment of security forces could pose further threats to the public...," said an insider source.

After four hearings at the Gauhati High Court, the case had almost reached a ruling until it got transferred to the High Court of Manipur.

"The last hearing was to be conducted in April but was deferred citing technical reason in the High Court of Manipur," stated a writ petitioner's counsel Shangreiso Huileng.

Informing that the hearing will resume once the remaining two judges are appointed in the High Court of Manipur, the PIL lawyer stated that court ruling is inevitable and most likely in favour of petitioner Vareiyo Shatsang.

A reliable source said the former state's advocate general N.Koteshor, who is now appointed as judge in the High Court of Manipur, had even discussed with the PIL lawyer of possible arrangement especially for the UADC Chairman to function in Imphal.

"...the proposition is however not acceptable in any manner...as it is antithetical to the provision enshrined in the MHADC (1971 Act)," Huileng asserted.

In case of final court ruling in favour of the writ petitioner, the UADC will be directed to shift to district headquarters.

In the last four hearings at Gauhati High Court, the state government defended the case citing "security reason" as the factor for allowing the ADCs to function from the state capital.

In this context, the state government may make all possible security arrangement for the elected ADC members, who are under "constant threat" even from an armed group.

Interestingly, there are also reports that the writ petitioner and lawyer are under certain pressure to drop the PIL against the UADC.

In 2010, the Government of Manipur conducted the Councils polls as per the MHADC (2008 Amendment) in the six segments of the hill districts.

The move witnessed a strong opposition from the Naga groups led by United Naga Council (UNC) and boycotted the controversial ADCs in the Naga areas.

With the exception of Churachandpur, Sadar Hills and Chandel, the ADCs in Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati operate under duress and function from Imphal.

In case of eventual court ruling against the UADC, it will also have a corresponding impact on the other districts.

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