Rider on Sadar Hills demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 17 2011: There is no objection to the district demand for Sadar Hills but to claim the Kuki villages scattered in different parts under the Gram Panchayats of Imphal West-I as part of the proposed Sadar hills district would not be acceptable and any attempt to grant the demand without proper demarcation of the existing district boundary would invite civil war, Pradhans of various Gram Panchayats have warned the Government.

A joint meeting of the Pradhans of various Gram Panchayats under Imphal West-I, Ward members, social workers, representatives of clubs, NGOs and Meira Paibis held at the residence of Pradhan of Phayeng Gram Panchayat Angom Maimu today has resolved that the boundary of Imphal West should not be affected in the creation of Sadar hills district.

In the meeting, the Pradhans made it clear that they do not have any objection as such to creation of Sadar hills as a new district but granting district demand without by the Government without resolving the existing boundary dispute would invite civil war among the people.

They pointed out that boundary disputes in Kanchikhul, Khurkhul, Kangchup, Leimakhong, and Kanto Sabal and other places under Imphal East one are yet to be resolved and to claim any portion of the valley area as part of proposed Sadar hills district would not be acceptable.

So, before announcing of Sadar hills as a district, it is high time for the people to exert pressure on the Government for proper demarcation of the boundary.

Objecting to putting up signboards claiming it is part of Sadar hills in areas under Dag no.38-Khurkhul and pattaland of Kanto Sabal, the Pradhans warned the Government that no portion of land falling within the jurisdiction of Gram Panchayats should be parted with the proposed Sadar hills district.

The Government should think over the matter before taking any final decision, the Pradhans observed.

Former Minister N Biren, who was also present during the meeting as a special invitees, said that he would like cordial relationship among different communities but to claiming all the land inhabited by Kukis but falling within the Gram Panchayats of Imphal West-I as part of Sadar hills would be wrong.

Granting Sadar hills district demand without proper demarcation of the district boundary and resolution of the existing land disputes would never be right step, he added.

Comment