Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 03 2009:
Setting October 20 as the deadline to the Government for giving a positive response to the demands for amending the Village Authorities in Hill Areas Act, 1956; enacting a separate land law for the hill tribal villages and the revocation of the State Cabinet decision on deployment of IRB/Police Commandos in the hill districts, People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) has warned of launching various democratic agitations in case of failure.
Addressing a press conference at its Ragailong office here this afternoon, PDA president M Maringa asserted that protracted delay in amending the Village Authorities in Hill Areas Act, 1956 has incapacitated the village authorities.
This outdated Act should be amended to ensure proper functioning of the village authorities.
The Act should also be implemented from the grassroots level so as to ensure its benefit to the people, Maringa demanded.
He pointed out that after the Government's order of annulling the hundred point roster under the Manipur Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (SC/ST) Act, 1976, another order had been issued to enforce two hundred point roster.
However, the court had ruled against the two hundred point roster and given directive to the Government to formulate an appropriate rule in public interest.
Inspite of the court ruling the Government has not done anything, thereby causing confusion in the mind of the people as to how the appointments are being made against the reserved posts without formulating an appropriate rule, Maringa said.
Along with enactment of a suitable land law and forest Act for the hill districts, the Deputy Commissioners concerned should given necessary power to ensure proper implementation of the Act, Maringa demanded, adding there is also no need for deployment of IRB/Police Commandos in the hill districts.
Elaborating on this, he said there is no law and order problem in the hill districts following the ceasefire as a consequent of signing of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) and the Indo-Naga peace talks.
In such a situation, deployment of additional forces like IRB/Commandos may disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the hill districts.
The Government should give a positive response to all these demands by October 20.Otherwise, PDA may be compelled to take up various intense democratic agitation, he warned, adding that how and when the agitation would begin would be announced to the people in due course of time.
Memorandum highlighting these demands have also already been submitted to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Governor of Manipur, he informed.