Imphal, April 22: The Sadar Hills District Committee claimed to have submitted a memorandum to the CM on its objection regarding enactment of Panchayati Raj Act in Sadar Hills which the body construed as the state Govt relying on 'divide and rule' policy.

Reminding that SHDC had already expressed opposition to implementation of Panchayati Raj in the sub-division, the body asserted that it would not allow further division of Sadar hills on communal line.

Instead of exclusion of villages/areas located within Sadar Hills from the purview of Zilla Parishad/Panchayati Raj which is in total disregard to the sentiment of Sadar Hills people the State Govt is once again trying to nominate members of Pradhan and Gram Panchayat for the vacant wards/constituencies which is totally illegal and against the recently held election results, an SHDC statement maintained.

The SHDC also recounted that till 1983 entire villages/areas in the three sub-divisions of Sadar Hills namely, Kangpokpi, Saitu and Saikul were governed under the single administration of Local Self Govt under Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council with periodic conduct of elections to the ADC.

Highlighting that in each of the ADC elections two/three Nepalis (general community) were elected as members including a Nepali becoming Deputy Chairman of Sadar hills ADC on one occasion, the body said with such facts all communities living in Sadar Hills have equal share and participation in implementation of development programmes etc under Sadar Hills ADC.

Alleging that since 1982-83 Govt of Manipur conceived a sinister policy whereby Panchayati Raj system was introduced in areas with substantial population of nepalis like in Kalapahar and Charhajare under Kangpokpi sub-division as well as in Molkon Hangoipat Nepali areas, Chingmang-Joulen and Phawoibi Vaiphei kuki areas of Saikul sub-division, SHDC decried that introduction of two local selfGovt in a particular area has led to confusion and divisions of the people along communal lines.

The body also reflected that in protest against such alleged biased and partisan policy zilla parishad and panchayat elections held in 2007 was boycotted through various forms of agitation, SHDC conveyed strong resentment that voices of the people is being deliberately muffled by the Govt.

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