Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee - Press Statement on 13 August
- Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee -

Kangpokpi, the 13th August 2011

SADAR HILLS DISTRICTHOOD DEMAND COMMITTEE
(Demanding Complete Implementation of Manipur (Hill Areas)
Autonomous District Council Act, 1971)
Head Office: Kangpokpi, Sadar Hills, Manipur – 795 129

PRESS STATEMENT
Kangpokpi, the 13th August 2011

Sadar Hills District-hood Demand Committee wants to make its stand clear to the people of Manipur through this statement.

Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Act 1971, Parliament Act No. 76 of 1971 (26 December 1971) clearly spelled out creation of not less than six autonomous districts for hills areas of Manipur. Subsequently, the Governor of Manipur, through Secretariat, Planning & Development Department vide its Notification, dated 14th February, 1972 constituted 6 (six) Autonomous Districts namely-
1) Manipur North Autonomous District (Senapati),
2) Sadar Hills Autonomous District,
3) Manipur East Autonomous District (Ukhrul),
4) Tengnoupal Autonomous District (Chandel),
5) Manipur South Autonomous District (Churachandpur),
6) Manipur West Autonomous District (Tamenglong).

Out of these, it is clearly seen and known that Sadar Hills Autonomous District is left out without implementing all paraphernalia as provided in the said Act. So, the question is – Is Sadar Hills an issue of a new creation to be delayed. Does the Act state anything related to communalisation of the district? Were the opinions of all sections of Manipuri society sought or taken into account while implementing the above-mentioned Act of Parliament?

Manipur Government has been blaming one section of Manipuris who took unjust stand and policy against the interest of people living in Sadar Hills for the last 39 years. At the same time, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Okram Ibobi Singh has categorically stated that 80 per cent of Manipuri society has supported districthood of Sadar Hills.

However, it is surprising as to whose decision is to be final in running the government of Manipur. We want to know if there is any authority empowered to overrule the decision of the state Council of Ministers (Cabinet). If the state cabinet is not the highest decision making body of the state governments, it will be a surprise to know that it is party/ies other than the state government itself?

40-year running demand has naturally instilled the people to come out openly and volunteer themselves in support of our rightful demand. Manipur Government should not continue to fine excuses by merely blaming UG groups, Nagas or Kukis. No Underground organisation is supporting the present mass movement nor takes part in it. It is the people in the district who take part in the movement.

If these are seriously accounted for districthood of Sadar Hills by the government, it has no rights to be in power and administers the state. It will be a serious political blunder if a long-pending rightful demand is not met in time. The more it is delayed, the more the problem it will be. State Government will shoulder all untoward responsibilities in the event of failure to grand districthood to Sadar Hills immediately.

We also express our regret to the people of Manipur over the problems caused due the ongoing general strike and economic blockade impose along NHs.

Long live, Manipur!

President, SHDDC
General Secretary, SHDDC