Kanglatongbi protests decision to abolish ZP
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 03 2012:
Taking strong exception to the State Government's decision to abolish Kanglatongbi Zilla Parishad by merging four Gram Panchayats (GP) with the nearest ADC and clubbing another GP with Khurkhul, protest demonstrations were staged at three different places located within the Zilla Parishad.
Under the joint aegis of the Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union and the Kanglatongbi ZP, protest demonstrations were staged at Kanglatongbi, Charhazar and Kalapahar today.
In addition to putting up placards which read as "Save Panchayat", "Protect constitutional rights of general voters", "Panchayat is our grassroots institution" etc, the protesters many slogans of discontentment.
Talking to media persons about the agitation, president of the Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union RB Chapagain said that the State Government has invited counter claims after publishing gazette notification regarding the new arrangement of merging Toribari GP, Santalabari GP, Kalapahar GP and Koubru Leikha GP with the ADC and clubbing Kanglatongbi GP under Khurkhul ZP.
Such arrangement of the State Government is a challenge to the constitution and it is unacceptable, Chapagain said.
Quoting Clause 2 of the District Council Act 1971 and Clause 25 of the Constitution's Article 366 which have similar implications, Chapagain said that non-tribals cannot be brought under ADCs.
According to Article 243-B, Panchayati Raj should be established in all non-tribal areas.
Over and above these, an order issued by Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench on February 8, 2010 directed the Government to hold re-poll in Koubru Leikha, Toribari, Kalapahar and Santalabari Gram Panchayats.
A case of contempt of court was also filed after the Government failed to follow the Court order.
But the Government somehow managed to put off the matter for good.
During the 2007 Panchayat elections, polling was held only in Kanglatongbi GP due to subversive activities and communal conflicts in the other GPs.
During 1930-31, there were three GPs in Sadar Circle (present Sadar Hills) namely Irang, kangpokpi and Kanglatongbi.
At that time, there was a single tribal village between Kanglatongbi and Kangpokpi.
Chapagain said that people of Kanglatongbi Zilla Parishad would be constrained to launch all sorts of agitation if the Government's attempt to abolish the Zilla Parishad is not dropped by July 10 .