Civil organisations appeal against communal polarisation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18 2011: In the backdrop of the Government's initiative to re-arrange district boundaries, altogether 16 different civil organisations including HERICOUN, Komrem Development Organisation, TIPS, Kharam Students Union, AMADA etc have submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister with a fervent appeal not to re-arrange district boundaries on the basis of community, religion or language.

Stating that no part of Manipur which has more than 2000 years old written chronicles is inseparable, the memorandum further appealed for introduction of uniform land law and land reform act applicable all over Manipur.

It also urged for fixing a tentative maximum limit for the number of districts that may exist in the State after due consideration of the fact that geographical area of Manipur is only 22,327 square kilometres.

As different forms of agitation including protracted economic blockade and general strikes cannot be ruled out in future, the Government must press its machinery into full service at such time to let people feel that there is effective and responsible Government which is capable of protecting lives and properties of public even at crucial hour of agitation.

The civil organisations also appealed for instituting a mechanism to insulate common people from the hardship and impacts caused by the protracted economic blockade.

Sectarian agitation by any section or community should not cause violation of the fundamental rights of other people, they asserted.

Pointing out that Manipur is inhabited by around 30 different communities, with many smaller communities not represented in the State Assembly, the civil organisations appealed for establishment of Manipur Legislative Council where numerically smaller communities could be accommodated in law making institution.

Any act of commission or omission should be avoided in the process of shifting of those villagers inhabited by minor communities in the process of district re-organisation.

They further suggested to hold referendum for ascertaining views and opinions of the villages inhabited by minor communities which likely to be affected at the time of district re-organisation.

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