ATSUM demands conduct of delimitation exercise
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 01 2023:
All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has demanded that the delimitation exercise be carried out in the state at the earliest.
According to ATSUM, a meeting of its Sub-committee on Delimitation was held on Wednesday to discuss the long pending delimitation exercise in the state.
The sub-committee comprising representatives of All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) and ATSUM deliberated on the issue and raised serious concern as to why the Election Commission of India (ECI) has failed to conduct delimitation in the state and why the state government is silent on the matter.
"This is akin to violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitutions of India and as such the ATSUM demands that delimitation exercise be carried out in the state of Manipur at the earliest," the apex tribal student body of Manipur demanded.
According to ATSUM, Ministry of Home Affairs, in an Office Memorandum No 8/5/2017-NE,I dated July 19, 2022 issued to Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice conveyed the decision that the Legislative Department may consider requesting the ECI to initiate delimitation exercise in the state of Assam and Manipur based on Census 2001 .
"Consistent with the decision of Ministry of Home Affairs, steps have been taken up to carry out delimitation exercise in Assam but in respect of Manipur the whole gamut of delimitation exercise seems to be completely ignored," it alleged.
Therefore, "ATSUM and the people of the state" cannot remain a mute spectator to this injustice, the tribal student body said.
It further urged the ECI to consider carrying out the delimitation exercise at the earliest.
At the same time, the state government has to earnestly pursue the matter with ECI so that the delimitation exercise is conducted in the state as is done by the government of Assam, ATSUM added.