IPSA fears new Bill with disintegrate slate
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 21 2021: Maintaining that the new Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill, 2021, which was recommended by Hill Area Committee (HAC) for tabling in the state assembly within ashort period, has several provisions having the potential to disintegrate the state, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has demanded the government not to introduce the Bill in the assembly.

Addressing a press meet at its office here on Saturday, IPSA vice-president Khuraijam Athouba termed the new ADC Bill as a venomous Bill, which has all the demands of Naga Autonomous Territorial Council of NSCN-IM and Kuki Territorial Council/Greater Autonomy by Kuki UG organisations under Suspension of Operation (SoO).

The nine-point salient feature mentioned in the Bill is also more or less same with the provisions of 6th Schedule.

He said that the new Bill has the potential to disintegrate the state into pieces and it is unfortunate for the elected members from hill areas, who are members of HAC, to conspire for passing the Bill by recommending it within short notice without consulting stakeholders and placing the same in public domain.

It is a Bill created in the interest of a few communities and IPSA will strongly oppose the communal and ethno centric Bill, Athouba said.

He further said that every sane people, who wants unity and stands for the integrity of the state should oppose the Bill.

The way the Bill was prepared, adopted and recommended for introduction in the House clearly reflects attempt to garner votes by some elected members from the hill areas.

The way the Hill Areas Committee functions seems to be hideous and full of hidden agenda.

The government should not table the Bill on the floor of the House, let alone passing it, he said and asked all the legislators to understand the true motive of the Bill.

He also said that IPSA will organise a public discussion on the Bill at the earliest.

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