Sadar Hills ADC dissidents explain stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 25 2012: Seven dissident Members of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council (SHADC) said that they decided to withdraw support from the incumbent Chairman Seipu Haokip and pledged support to Vice-Chairman Haokholal Hangshing in their own will and without any pressure from anybody in the interest of bringing development and change in Sadar Hills.

It may be mentioned that Members Nehkholam Chongloi, SK Vaiphei, Lenkhomang Chongloi, Henjathang Khongsai, Seikhosat Kipgen, S Khupsong Koireng and Bhumi Prasad Basnate have withdrawn support from the Chairman and pledged support to the Vice-Chairman.

Vice-Chairman Haokholal Hangshing claimed that 16 SHADC Members out 26, are in his camp.

Speaking to reporters at T Gamnom of Saikul Block yesterday, the seven dissident members said, as majority of the Members do not support the Chairman, Seipu Haokip must tender resignation from the chairmanship on moral ground.

Condemning the incident in which three Members including Haokholal were allegedly kidnapped by the supporters of Seipu Haokip on March 19 last, the seven Members termed the incident as undemocratic.

All 16 supporting Members of the Vice-Chairman are camping at T Gamnom to protect themselves from such incidents, they added.

They further said that the camp would continue until Seipu Haokip steps down from the chairmananship.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Sangai Express, Seipu Haokip said, although the Govt has provided power to ADCs with regard to 26 Departments, necessary fund is yet to be released hampering functioning of ADCs in many ways.

He added that it has being demanded to the Govt to release necessary funds.

Maintaining that ADCs come under Tribal Development Department, Seipu said information on the funds provided to SHADC could be had from the Department.

It is hard to take up any developmental work with the fund provided by the Government, he said adding that even salary to ADC teachers could not be provided in time.

Fund released by the Govt was utilised with due approval from the Financial Committee and Executive Committee of the SHADC, he added.

Seipu Haokip also urged the concerned to release the seven Members who according to him were kidnapped on gun point.

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