ZYF decries
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22 2016:
Taking strong exception to the 'election' of two Nepalese to the Autonomous District Council, the Zeliangrong Youth Front today said that the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District COuncil Act, 1971 was enacted with the objective of protecting the rights and interests of the tribal people.
Asserting that Nepalese are not tribals, ZYF in a statement said that the 'election' of two Nepalis to the ADC is Constitutionally invalid and ab initio.
The people responsible for letting them file nomination papers to contest the polls should be strongly condemned, it said.
The ZYF asked how non-tribal Nepalese were elected as ADC members in total contravention of the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act, 1971 and further questioned whether Nepalese have been declared as tribals and if yes in which year.
This is one reason why the ZYF has been demanding the amalgamation of Zeliangrong areas particularly in Sadar Hills with Tamenglong district, it said.
The Nepalese were allowed by the Zeliangrong people to settle in the hill areas on the ground of humanity some 50/60 years ago, said the statement but today they have started claiming themselves as the real land owners, it added.
The genesis of the present problem is the creation of unreserved Assembly Constituency in the hill areas, said ZYF and added that the tribal villages should not have been clubbed with the Nepali villages, since Nepalese are not tribals.