Agitating ADC members homeward bound
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

New Delhi, September 08 2014: After the ten-long day campaign in New Delhi for devolution of powers to the six Autonomous District Councils (ADC) of Manipur, members of the ADCs have started their homeward journey today from the National capital.

However, some 11 ADC members have stayed back at Delhi waiting for an appointment with AICC leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

According to the ADC members, Sonia Gandhi is currently in the United States of America and they are waiting for her return to India.

A large number of ADC members from Manipur reached Delhi on August 27 and met Central leaders including the President of India in the past ten days.

The ADC members had also staged a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 5 demanding devolution of powers and functions to the Councils.

According to ADC member from Churachandpur H Mangchinkhup, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured the ADC members that he would look into the matter and address the matter at the earliest.

The ADC members also met DoNER Minister General (Rtd) VK Singh who said that he would collect all the relevant documents on the ADC of Manipur and address the matter after a thorough study.

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had reportedly told the ADC members that the devolution of powers to the ADCs in Manipur is a must.

Mr Rijiju assured them his utmost service on the issue.

The ADC members said the successive Governments both in the State and Centre have denied their rights and power under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971 .

Due to this situation a boycott call was issued and for 20 years the ADCs were non functioning in Manipur hill areas.

In 2010 election to ADCs were held under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, Third (3rd) Amendment Act 2008.However, the situation of the ADCs remains the same.

According to these ADC members, the existing 6 Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur ie Churachandpur, Chandel, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong were set up in the year 1973 in pursuance of the North Eastern Reorganization Act, 1971 and later passed as Parliamentary Act called 'The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971' .

"However, due to non devolution of the powers and functions under the said Acts and Rules, the ADC Election was withheld since 1989 in demand for extending the provisions of the Sixth Scheduled Provision of the Indian Constitution to these ADCs," they stated.

The ADC members further said that three successive State Governments in the State had adopted resolutions for 6th schedule implementation based on the recommendation of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) Manipur.

However, the issue was kept in abeyance by the State Government despite repeated reminders by the Centre Government.

After 20 years, the ADCs were revived and elections held in 2010, with a renewed hope under the Manipur(Hill Areas) District Council, Third(3rd) Amendment Act, 2008 .

"But to our utter dismay even as we complete four years we see no change and are denied powers bestowed under the said Act.

According to the new Act, there were 26 (twenty six) subjects enlisted under Section 29 in sub-section (1) of the principal Act," the ADC members said.

"Hence, we reiterate and demand the implementation of the long pending demand for Extension of Sixth Scheduled Provision of the Constitution in the Hill Areas of Manipur to all the 6(six) ADCs," they stated.

According to the ADC members, the hill area of Manipur is the only tribal area in North East India which is ignored, unattended and unjustly left out from extension of the Sixth Schedule Provision of the Constitution of India, whereas , all other Tribal Areas in the whole of the North Eastern States such as Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura were under 6th scheduled Provision to safeguard the interest, customs and culture of the tribal.

"We feel proud to be part of the Indian democracy system, but it pained our heart to experience alienation, discrimination, deprivation and subjugation.

Several memorandums have been submitted to the State as well as to the Central Govt.to redress our grievances, unfortunately all these prayer have so far remained unnoticed," the ADC members further said.

"We strongly believe that strengthening the ADCs under the Sixth Schedule will bring down the unrest and chaos in Manipur's hill areas and development and progress will subsequently follow," the ADC members added.

Comment