COPTAM urges Government
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 11 2015: Committee on Protection of Tribal Areas, Manipur (COPTAM) has urged the State Government not to postpone or delay the ADC elections.

Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club, COPTAM general secretary Thangkham Lupheng said that the State Government is planning to postpone or delay the ADC election which is to be held in June as the current term ends in May this year.

He also said that the six ADCs in the hills areas of the State were introduced by an Act of Parliament in 1971 following the creation of Hill Area Committee under Article 375 of the Indian Constitution.

Election to ADCs was held five years ago after it remained defunct for 22 years, he added.

Revival of ADCs in hill areas brought lots of expectation regarding development, he said.

He also said that State Government's plan to postpone or delay ADC election is against the interest of the hill people and also in contravention of the Act under which the ADCs were created.

Lupheng also said that ADCs should be made functional according to the regulated Acts and provisions.

He urged the State Government to make the ADCs of the State fully functional and autonomous by holding the election as per schedule.

He also urged the Government to keep the land records of hill areas in the DC offices concerned.

Lupheng also demanded that the areas of Saikul Block, which are currently with the Panchayat, be brought under ADC.

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