Zeliangrong CSOs press for rejig of districts
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 13 2024: Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs), comprising Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front, and Zeliangrong Students' Union, commended MLA Leishiyo Keishing, also the former chairman of Hill Areas Committee (HAC), for raising the critical issue of district boundaries in the just concluded Manipur Assembly session.

In a joint statement, the ZCOs said that Zeliangrong people have been demanding amalgamation of their villages, which were separated from Tamenglong district during the creation of SADAR sub-division in 1933 and upgrading of Churachandpur district in 1969 .

The ZCOs emphasised the need for district reorganisation to address the hardships and grievances faced by people settling in SADAR hills and Churachandpur districts.

Noting that CM Biren responded positively to the calling attention motion on the issue and assured the Assembly of government's commitment to address the long-pending demands of Zeliangrong people, the statement hailed the CM's response as encouraging and reassuring.

The ZCOs expressed hope and confidence that the present government would fulfil these promises and initiate process for realignment of district boundaries.

The statement also recalled the formation of Committee on Re-Organisation of District Boundaries on Administrative Conveniences (CoRDBAC) in 2011, chaired by the then chief secretary DS Poonia and conduct of public hearings, wherein Zeliangrong leaders and village representatives aired their grievances and demands.

A public rally was also organised by the Zeliangrong organisations in Imphal followed by submission of a memorandum to the then Governor Gurbachand Jagat.

Despite these efforts, the ZCOs noted that the subsequent formation of another committee in 2018, headed by retired judge Binoykumar did not bring any tangible results as public hearings were not conducted and committee's activities remain unknown.

The past governments, with their flawed and impractical policies, have caused the Zeliangrong people to endure deprivation of essential facilities and opportunities for development.

Such policies also led to the subjugation and marginalisation of their democratic rights, particularly in terms of representation in local bodies, such as the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.

Additionally, the Zeliangrong community has faced suppression arid domination within the administrative process, the joint statement said.

The ZCOs strongly urged the government to address the long-standing demands of the Zeliangrong people byre-organising district boundaries to bring Zeliangrong villages currently under Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts under Tamenglong and Noney districts.

They emphasised that this step is crucial for ensuring permanent peace and tranquillity in the state.

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