Gorkha villages to skip poll
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11, 2012:
After MLA Yamthong Haokip gave his consent to put seven Gorkha villages of Makeng Dolaithabi Gram Panchayat, Sawombung sub-division, Imphal East district, voters of the seven villages have decided to stay away from the Panchayat poll scheduled on September 13. The seven villages which the MLA has given his consent to and come under the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council are Matakhong, Isan Gorkha, Molkon Gorkha, Hangoipat Gorkha, Makeng Ngulrou, Bunglung Gorkha and Liklatabi village.
These villages have a total population of 4500 approximately.
A formal function to mark admittance of the seven villages into Sadar Hills ADC was held today at Saikul Bazar.
As a customary practice, MLA Yamthong Haokip presented red blankets to the leaders of the seven villages.
Yamthong Haokip said that the seven villages were under ADC before they were put under Gram Panchayat in 1981-82. Under Gram Panchayat, people of these villages could work for only seven days in the whole year under MGNREGS as against 100 days of job guaranteed by the Central sponsored scheme.
Based on administrative convenience, the seven villages were allowed to come under Saikul District Council.
The MLA further announced that one seat would be reserved for Nepalese/Gorkhas in the council Gorkha Welfare Association Chairman Damar Rai said that voters of the seven villages would not go for voting on September 13. "Under Gram Panchayat, we didn't get any opportunity for development.
As such, the seven villages have decided to join Saikul", Damar said.
Protesting the inclusion of villages in Sadar Hills under the Panchayat, a bandh has also been called in Sadar Hills area on September 13.