Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 29:
The decision of the Union Cabinet to defer the delimitation process in Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam till 2026 was only a sham and a disinformation campaign intended to mislead the people of these States, Manipur Watch Initiative (MWI), which was formally known as Delimitation Watch Manipur has contended.
Addressing a press conference at Singjamei today, MWI convenor Heikrujam Nabashyam pointed out that although the Union Cabinet had taken a resolution to the effect to defer the delimitation process in these States till 2026, there is no mention of these States with exception to Jharkhand, in The Delimitation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2008 published in The Gazette of India on January 14 this year.
Nonetheless, the Amendment stated that the delimitation exercise in a State can be deferred if the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the unity and integrity of India is threatened or there is a serious threat to the peace and public order, Nabashyam added.
Coming out strongly against the Government of India for taking the public for a ride on the issue of delimitation, Nabashyam questioned why the Government of India has resorted to such disinformation campaign and what is the intention behind it? .
Holding the Prime Minister of India responsible for this disturbing new development, the MWI convenor said the Prime Minister owes an apology to the public.
Reiterating the stand of MWI that no delimitation should be effected in Manipur based on the fictitious census report of 2001, the convenor also made a fervent appeal to the Chief Minister as well as to the all party delegation to fight out the case politically and in the Supreme Court so that the situation do not get aggravated.