CSOs speak out against ADC Bill
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22 2021:
At least eight Civil Society Organisations have unanimously resolved to oppose the contentious Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 and urged all the legislators to reject the recommendation made by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) .
The CSOs are International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA); All Club Organisation Association & Meira Paibi Lup (ACOAM Lup); People Action for National Democratic Movement (PANDM); Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK); Kangleipak Lamjing Apunba Meira Lup (Kanglamei); Kanglei Ima Lup (KIL); Chanura Langchinglel Kangleipak (CLK), Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA) and All Manipur Muslim Organisation Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC) .
In a joint statement, the CSOs said that a one day public discourse on the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 was held at Nongmeibung Bazar, wherein certain resolutions were taken.
During the meeting, the CSOs agreed that the Bill should not be tabled/passed without prior consultation with all the stakeholders of the State.
Saying that the Bill contains provisions of the Autonomous Territorial Councils which the people have been opposing, the statement said that the salient features of the Bill duplicates almost all the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
The Bill also reflects the ethnocentric and divisive intent of certain elected representatives, the CSOs alleged and asserted that all communities and groups who stand for the peaceful coexistence should oppose the Bill.
It also invited all hill leaders and CSOs to come forward for a transparent discussion on the content of the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 and to work out a Bill acceptable to all stakeholders.
Saying that a representation of the public discourse will be submitted to Chief Minister N Biren Singh as well as to the Opposition leader, the CSOs appealed to the people of the State, especially to the hill brethren to not fall into the 'half hearted and clandestine attempt' of the elected few for personal gain.