NPO opposes HAC proposals
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, October 29 2024: Naga People's Organisation (NPO) has strongly opposed recommendation of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) to constitute a 20-member nominated committee to oversee the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur's hills till conduct of the pending elections.

The NPO called the recommendation unconstitutional and undemocratic, criticising it for circumventing the electoral process and infringing upon rights of people of hill areas.

This controversy arises from HAC's Resolution No 59/2024 (HAC) and an October 2024 memo, issued after the Gauhati High Court invalidated the caretaker chairmanship system in the ADCs.

While HAC proposed appointing former ADC members and local experts to manage the councils, the NPO deemed the move an unjustifiable move to enforce governance without elections.

The organisation urged the Governor of Manipur to reject the recommendation and ensure timely conduct of ADC elections.

Additionally, the NPO stressed the need for full implementation of Article 371C to protect the democratic principles governing the hill areas.

The NPO's rejection highlights a broader desire to preserve local self-governance, asserting that decisions affecting the hill areas should be made through proper electoral processes rather than through undemocratic nominations.

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