Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06:
All Manipur Ex-Member Distinct Council Welfare Association has resolved to take up intense agitations including imposition of bandh and blockade if the State Government does not announce the schedules of election in the six Autonomous District Councils including Sadar Hills and payment of pension to the ex-members before commencement of Winter Session of the Assembly.
A meeting of the Association was held at the official residence of MLA DK Korungthang at Lamphelpat today and it was decided to launch the agitation after December 16 if the Government fails to fulfill the long pending twin demands.
Later talking to mediapersons, Association president Haokhothang Baite said that the Government should make an official announcement in this regard before the Winter Session of the Assembly scheduled to begin from December 17.In case the Government fails to do so, a meeting of the Association would be convened at the District Council hall, Sangakpham on December 16 to decide further course of action to be taken up including imposition of bandh and blockade, Baite informed.
Pointing out that functioning of the Autonomous District Councils started after the members were duly elected in 1973, Baite rued that no election has been held since 1988 impairing proper administration in the hill districts.
Delaying holding of election for such a long time has denied not only development in the hills but also the democratic rights to the hill people, he contended.
If the Council is made functional, all the issues concerning the people living in the hills can be resolved amicably by its members, he asserted and added that the communal flare up that erupted in the hill area would not have happened if the Autonomous District Councils were given its due power.
In the absence of effective administration under District Councils in the hill area, it was but natural that the people would start looking for an alternative, Baite observed.