JAC SH details how Sadar Hills was betrayed at last minute
Source: The Sangai Express

Sadar Hills, November 04 2016: Detailing the process to declare Sadar Hills as a full fledged district, which was aborted at the last minute, the JAC for Sadar Hills today spelt out how the State Government ultimately betrayed the trust of the people of Sadar Hills.

Speaking at a joint meeting of civil society organisations of Sadar Hills, which included Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, Sadar Hills Chiefs' Association (SAHILCA), social workers and representatives of Kuki Inpi Manipur at the office of Kangpokpi Town Committee, the JAC said that they met Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on October 30 last year, in connection with the matter.

It was during this meeting that the Chief Minister assured that Sadar Hills will be declared a district in the last week of May in 2016, recalled the JAC.

JAC SH details how Sadar Hills was betrayed at last minute

The assurance, however, did not materialize in May this year and instead the State Government requested that the declaration date be deferred to September, the JAC recalled.

Once again representatives of the JAC met the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister on August 14 this year.

After the August 14 meeting, the Chief Minister sent the three MLAs of Sadar Hills including IFCD Minister Yamthong Haokip as representatives of the Government to Kangpokpi on October 3 this year.

It was during this visit that the Minister and the MLAs conveyed the decision of the State Government to declare Sadar Hills as a district during the Kut festival, which fell on November 1 .

The public meeting convened by the JAC on October 4 was also subsequently called off after the assurance, the JAC said.

The Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister urged the JAC Sadar Hills not to broadcast the assurance given by the Congress Government to the print and electronic media so as to avoid any opposition in declaring Sadar Hills as a full-fledged district, said the JAC.

Consequently, the JAC also respected the request, said the JAC.

The JAC further disclosed that Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh gave his approval to make the declaration plaque discreetly and accordingly it was made discreetly from October 17 while it (the plaque) was approved by the Chief Minister and the Dy Chief Minister when shown to them after completion.

It further disclosed that on October 30 evening the Chief Minister instructed his emissaries to erect the declaration plaque which was subsequently brought from the State capital and accordingly was erected the same night inside the Addl.

DC's office complex at Kangpokpi.

However, the Manipur Congress Government did a complete U-turn and shattering the aspirations of the people of Sadar Hills, failed to declare Sadar Hills as a fuill fledged district.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations including SAHILCA and Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills have strongly condemned the betrayal of the Congress Government even after installing the declaration plaque and proposed to demand an apology from the State Government as per Kuki customary law on or before November 9 .

Subsequently, the joint meeting resolved to call upon the Chief Minister including the three MLAs of Sadar Hills to tender an apology before the people of Sadar Hills as per the Kuki customary law before November 9 .

CSOs Sadar Hills Spokesperson Lamcha Chongloi said that in most print and electronic media the term 'Creation and Revenue district' have been either prefixed or suffixed and widely publicized which is unacceptable.

He also said that the people of Sadar Hills are tirelessly pressurizing the Government of Manipur for early deputation of DC and SP for administrative convenience and development of Sadar Hills.

The JAC Sadar Hills including the CSOs Sadar Hills have also summoned the three MLAs of Sadar Hills and the district councillors on November 9 stating that the fate of Sadar Hills district shall be decided on the day.