Can't accept ADC Bill-2021, has divisive agenda: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 11 2022: A video of chief minister N Biren Singh in which is he is seen asking if the ADC Bill which seeks to divide Manipur into two entities, have two chief secretaries and two secretariats would be tabled in the state assembly, has gone viral on social media.

In the 2.11-minute long video, CM Biren could be heard making a remark about contents of the ADC Bill, with apparent reference to the legislation proposed in 2021, which tribal students want to table in the state assembly.

The said Bill forwarded by Hill Areas Committee (HAC) mentioned about dividing Manipur into two and have two chief secretaries and two secretariats, he said and asked if he as chief minister of the state would table such a Bill in the state assembly and nonchalantly accept the agenda to divide the state.

He also asked if any of the HAC members who happen to be the chief minister of the state would table the Bill in the House.

After a deep and thorough discussion with all the 20 members of HAC, the government removed divisive agenda from the Bill and tabled the same in the House for welfare of hill people and empower them.

The amendment Bill has provision of increasing number of ADC from six to 10 though the matter relating to devolution of power was referred back to HAC for further discussion.

He also said that the present government has been taking up many welfare activities for the hill people but some people are arguing without any basis and this cannot be accepted when there is a government.

While describing Manipur as god's land and blessed by the almighty, Biren said that no major natural calamity happens in Manipur due to god's blessing.

However, it was very unfortunate that some amongst the people of the land are selfish.

He said that people of Manipur suffer as the number of people who prayed to Jesus Christ and indulged in looting at the same time with their right hands and those chanting Hare Krishna and indulged in looting with their left hands at the same time have increased.

For more than 2000 years, all the indigenous people of Manipur have been living together with harmony and hence there cannot be any division of big or small communities, Biren said in the video, adding that the present government will not allow suppression of smaller communities by bigger ones and division of big and small communities.

He also said that smaller communities should not feel isolated and should not live in fear.

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