Imphal, October 22: The all political party meeting held today to deliberate on the country-wide delimitation exercise unanimously resolved on preserving status quo of State's assembly constituencies.

During the meeting presided by the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at the CM's Conference Hall a one line resolution for maintenance of status quo of assembly constituencies in 'all the districts' was adopted by representatives of the political parties.

Another significant development arising out of the meeting pertains to unanimity among the representatives on amalgamation of seven assembly segments of Thoubal district and the lone Jiribam AC into the Manipur Inner Parliamentary constituency, said sources while informing that Delimitation Committee would be intimated on the matter.

Electors of these ACs had for the past many terms exercised franchise for election of Outer Parliamentary constituency representative.

It may be noted that out of the total population of over 23.88 lakhs eligible voters and 60 assembly constituencies in the State 40 are confined to the valley districts with the hill areas comprising of 20 ACs.

Representatives of 11 national, regional and State political parties who attended the crucial session besides endorsing decision to send a resolution copy each to the election Commission of India, Delimitation Committee, Prime Minister, Home Minister and related institutions also decided to depute an all party delegation to press Central leaders/officials concerned to honour and implement the State's decision.

The proposed visit of the all party team was tentatively fixed for first week of November month, said the source.

Leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the State's decision receives positive response today's meeting also decided to set up a six member memorandum draft committee for presentation to central Government leaders, said the source and added that the committee's first meeting will be held at the official quarter of Works Minister Th Debendra on October 24.Mention also be made that in 2001 in connection with the delimitation exercise household surveys were conducted in some hill district areas but could not yield positive results as residents/electors did not extend cooperation to the survey officials.

Reports were published of most villagers locking up their houses on the day survey officials showed up at the targeted villages.

Prior to the all political party meeting held today the Secular Progressive Front Government in its seating yesterday had minutely discussed on the prevailing situation and decided to prevail upon the Delimitation Commission of India not to disturb existing assembly constituencies in the district observing that any change in the present context might lead to tension amongst various communities, reminded the source.

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