AMUCO against districts on ethnic lines
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 04 2011:
The All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has advised the Committee on Re-organisation of Administrative and Police District Boundary not to create new districts on ethnic lines.
AMUCO functionaries put forth their point before the committee during a public hearing held today in the Chief Secretary's office chamber.
The public hearing was attended by Chief Secretary DS Poonia, DGP Y Joykumar, Home Commissioner Binod Kishpota, Revenue Commissioner S Sunderlal as well as representatives of AMUCO, Eastern Kuki Chiefs' Association Ukhrul, ex-Minister C Doungel and District Council Members.
The AMUCO delegates were led by its president KT Rahaman and categorically stated that there is no harm in creating new districts but no district should be carved out on ethnic line.
AMUCO also expressed strong reservation against creating district without re-organising the existing districts, KT Rahaman later conveyed to media persons.
Pointing out that Nagaland which has lesser population than Manipur has 15 districts, AMUCO functionaries asserted that the Government should respond positively to demands for other districts like Jiribam, Tengnoupal, Tongjei Maril, Tipaimukh and Phungyar.
They further asserted that Kangpokpi district should be used in place of the term 'Sadar Hills district' .
The other points put forth by AMUCO at the public hearing were eviction of people occupying reserved forest areas, protection of forests, allowing all communities to settle in any district, amendment of MLR & LR Act and introduction of the same Act in hill districts.
Only then Manipur can be a homeland for Manipuri Meiteis, Manipuri Nagas, Manipuri Kukis and Manipuri Pangals, AMUCO asserted.
Eastern Kuki Chiefs Association, Ukhrul president Letkhosei Haokip remarked that the initiative to re-organise district boundaries was a good step.
He proposed that 56 Kuki villages of Eastern Ukhrul be brought within Chandel district under ADC Moreh.
Ex-Minister C Doungel opined that it would not be advisable to carry out the district re-organisation exercise on communal line.
No district can be an exclusive domain for any community.
Nevertheless, he called for early declaration of Sadar Hills as a
full fledged district .