Where is autonomy, COPTAM asks
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, January 12 2013 :
The Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas Manipur (COPTAM) has said today that it is a very sad thing that no real autonomy has been granted to the Autonomous District Councils.
COPTAM's comment came amid the demands raised by Autonomous District Council CO-ordination Committee (ADC-CC) regarding the devolution of power to the council.
COPTAM general secretary Thangkam Lupheng terms it as very unfortunate that the devolution of power to the District Councils has not been implemented till date.
In this regard, COPTAM has been demanding for total empowerment of the ADCs by effecting devolution of power to the grass level.
"Unless the empowerment and devolution of power is made by an act, the word autonomous is meaningless.
So, COPTAM appeals to the government to pass an act for empowerment and commitment of the government for development of the tribal people of Manipur.
And the so-called 'devolution of power' by the state government is totally meaningless as no real power has been devolved to the ADCs even after three years of its re-instatement.
Without adequate power and autonomy, the revival of ADCs will be completely meaningless and as such, the state government should stop playing with the rights of the tribal people," COPTAM advised.
"Moreover, regarding the indifferent attitude displayed by the government so far to the legitimate demands of COPTAM, an executive meeting of COPTAM shall be held very soon to chalk out the next course of action," Thangkam Lupheng informed.