Church leaders petitions CM on Sadar Hills issue
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, September 26 2011:
No one ought to support economic blockade but it is hard not to support that which is predicated on development agenda, said Executive Secretary of North East Christian Council (NECC) Rev.Dr.Kim Vaiphei while extending support to the Sadar Hills demand which was conveyed to the Chief Minister of Manipur today.
Rev.Vaiphei stated thus at a media briefing after emerging from a two-hour-long meeting with Cchief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today.
She led a 7-member delegation of Church Leaders' Forum (CLF) of Sadar Hills Autonomous District in connection with the demand by SHDDC for a full fledged Sadar Hills district which has resulted in economic blockade for 57 days and counting.
The other members of the CLF delegation are Vumthong Sitlhou, Dr.S Chongloi, M Chandramani, Rev.Dr.S Lalpi Vaiphei, MS Obedya and Rev.Khupthang Sitlhou.
"Sadar Hills district demand should not be communalized.
It is for all the communities residing in the area.
The church leaders will support the demand as it is predicated on the agenda of development of the area just as we support Jiribam district demand on similar motivation," said Rev.Vaiphei.
While saying that church leaders have been fervently praying for the good health and peace of the state, she admitted that the meeting today remained inconclusive.
Seeking the intervention of the Chief Minister of Manipur for full implementation of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 which mandated the creation of a full fledged Sadar Hills district, the memorandum by CLF said the people of the area have been suffering from severe economic deprivation, anomalies, depression and hardship for the past 40 years since 1971 .
The most wretched, miserable, poorest and darkest in appearance due to ill nourishment are the people of Sadar Hills, said the memorandum.
Expressing its unhappiness on the proposed reorganization of district boundaries by the state government, CLF said, "We are very sad that the existing Sadar Hills boundary is going to be readjusted in consideration of some communal or tribal interests which will weaken or shaken the bond of unity and brotherhood of all communities and tribals of Sadar Hills" .