Many continue to occupy ADC Bhavan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2022: Many continue to occupy rooms at Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bhavan, Chingmeirong (both VIP and normal rooms) by flouting the Government order which directed them to vacate by June 25 .

The notification in this regard was issued by the Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills on June 10 last to streamline the management of the ADC Bhavan.

Reportedly, the Government had also cancelled all the allotment orders it gave earlier and made clear that the ADC Bhavan is not a quarter but must be utilised as a transit place when needed by the Members and officials of the Council.

It is further reported that a handful of occupants at the Bhavan are occupying the rooms for as long as 10 years while many others are overstaying there by disregarding the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Guest House Rules.

As per credible sources, even relatives and family members of some of the ADC Members and officials are staying at the ADC Bhavan without clearing electricity and rent charges.

It may be recalled that the ADC election was resumed during the tenure of former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in 2010 after a gap of nearly 20 years and the same was conducted again in 2015 in spite of opposition from different quarters.

In the run up to the 2015 ADC election, houses of candidate's workers were torched, several others were killed while many others couldn't set foot in the hill districts.

In view of this hostility, ADC candidates and workers were directed to stay at Commando Complex, Khuman Lampak Sports Complex and at ADC Bhavan at Chingmeirong to avoid casualties or any untoward incident and the same threat still persists according to the occupants.

Speaking to The Sangai Express at Chingmeirong, a group of ADC Members said that the Government planning to streamline the management of the Bhavan is a good initiative but the deadline given to vacate the rooms was very short.

They also questioned the motive of the Government as the occupants were compelled to stay at ADC Bhavan due to the threat perception in the hill districts.

Saying that the tenure of those ADC Members elected in 2015 which ended in June, 2020 was extended upto December 2020 due to Covid pandemic, they added that the Members who couldn't win the ADC election which will tentatively be held in September of this year will leave the Bhavan by default.

They claimed that the notification issued by the Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills was an insult to the elected representatives of the hill districts.

The group of ADC Members claimed that it was them who finished the construction of several rooms of the Bhavan by spending money from their own pockets.

Saying that the occupants didn't pay the rent and electricity fees as they were not aware to whom the money must be given, they alleged that the authorities concerned didn't instal a prepaid meter at the Bhavan despite repeated appeal to do so for the convenience of the occupants.

Further stating that the period given by the Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills to vacate the rooms was very short, they added that the Directorate must at least give the occupants the time to look for alternative accommodation places as they cannot return to the hill districts at the moment.

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