Committee demands ULB polls, warns of stir
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 02 2023:
All Manipur ULBs Coordinating Committee, an apex body of chairpersons, corporators and councillors of 27 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the state, has demanded the government to conduct election to the local self-government bodies at the earliest while cautioning of launching agitation if the government keeps postponing the same.
Addressing a press meet after a joint meeting held at Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak, here, on Monday, committee president Arambam Omila expressed strong resentment that the government has been deferring holding of election to the ULBs despite cabinet resolutions for early conduct of the same.
It has been one year since Imphal Municipal Corporation and two years since other ULBs ended their terms.
Even though there are pending cases against some ULBs, there should be no issue for the government to hold election for the undisputed ULBs, she pointed out while terming the delay as violation of democracy and democratic rights of the public.
Amid the growing demand for holding the elections, the government had removed the caretakers of the ULBs even though the high court of Manipur had on March 14 last year issued directives to the government to allow the former chairpersons, corporators and councillors to function as caretakers until the election is held.
Handing over the charge of caretaker to MAHUD director is not the right step as it will result in jeopardising various ongoing projects and activities of the ULBs, she said.
While demanding the government to conduct the election or appoint the former elected representatives to function as caretakers, she warned of filing petition to the ministry of urban development and launching stir with support from the public.
Later, the committee members took out a march with the intention of storming the CM's bungalow.
However, police stopped them near North AOC and allowed some representatives to go and meet the CM.
They met the CM in the evening around 8, during which, the CM assured of bringing up the matter in the cabinet meeting, which will be held on Tuesday.