ADC Bill can potentially divide Manipur: CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11 2022: The Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill 2021 which was recommended by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) has certain clauses which can potentially bifurcate/disintegrate Manipur, remarked Chief Minister N Biren in a video clip posted today on a Facebook page 'People's CM Manipur' .

The Chief Minister stated that the HAC has been asked to remove the particular clauses/sections and reshape the Bill in such a way that it empowers hill people and brings more development to hill districts, and the HAC has been working on it.

According to the Facebook post (video clip) in which the Chief Minister seemed to be talking to leaders of a particular community, Manipur is always protected by God and the land is spared from large-scale natural disasters.

Manipur is suffering because the number of people who chant the name of God but have no qualms in looting the masses the next moment has been growing, Biren remarked.

Talking about the ADC Bill, the Chief Minister stated that the Bill would be tabled in the State Assembly but the Bill recommended by the HAC has sections/clauses which literally advocate bifurcation of Manipur, establishment of two Secretariats and appointment of two Chief Secretaries.

Turning to the ADC Members, Biren asked whether they would table any such Bill in the State Assembly if any one of them were the Chief Minister of Manipur.

He further asked the ADC Members if they would agree to any proposal which seeks to disintegrate Manipur.

Without thinking over such matters, some people have been venting their anger for not tabling the particular Bill in the State Assembly, Biren said in the video clip.

After a thorough discussion on the Bill between the State Government and Members of the HAC, the Bill has been laid out in such a way that it empowers hill people and benefits them more after removing the strong-worded clauses/sections which directly challenge the integrity of Manipur, Biren said.

Informing that the number of ADCs would be raised from six to 10, the Chief Minister stated that the ADC Bill had been referred to the HAC as the HAC Members sought re-examination on the matter of empowering hill people.

Despite all these, some elements have been raising all kinds of hue and cry without any rhyme or reason, he said.

Asserting that no one would agree to any move aimed at disintegrating Manipur, the Chief Minister categorically stated that the Government would never yield to such pressure.

Pointing out that different communities have been living together in Manipur since 2000/3000 years back, Biren decried that some big communities have been working to annihilate smaller communities.

Stating that he would not remain silent or tolerate such diabolic attempts, Biren maintained that big communities and small communities should live together side by side.

He added that the beauty of Manipur lies in its diversity and pluralism.

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