Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 25 2009:
Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) has warned the State Government that it would launch an unprecedented democratic agitation if the matter of Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections is not discussed in the coming Assembly session scheduled to be kicked off from July 3 .
IDF, a pressure group constituted by like minded people of hill areas of the State kick started a series of campaign seeking support from the people in this regard on June 19 at Senapati.
IDF president Ngachonmi Chamroy in a press conference conducted today at Manipur Press Club said that the Front received mass support from the people during their campaigns.
The Front has already conducted campaigns at Tamenglong on June 22 and Chandel on June 24, he added.
Ngachommi further said that the same will be held on June 27 at Ukhrul and on June 30 at Churachandpur.
After the completion of these campaigns, Ngachonmi said, IDF will submit representations to Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi before the ensuing Assembly session commences demanding to hold ADC elections by the end of this year.
He further asserted that the Front will be compelled to launch unprecedented democratic agitation across the hill districts with the support of the people if the matter is not discussed during the Assembly session.
Saying that the delay in ADC polls is the mother of all issues of hills of Manipur, Ngachonmi quoted Governor Gurbachan Jagat's statement published in some section of the media saying that the State lose Rs 25 crores every year due to the absence of local self Government in the hills.
Maintaining that delimitation process for the election has been completed many months back, Ngachommi asked why the Government is still taking time in announcing the dates for the elections.
He further said, such delay gives apprehension to the people whether the Ibobi-led Government is not concerned regarding the developments of the hill people, he added.