NPF objects to 'Hill State' recommendation
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 13 2014 : Naga Peoples Front (NPF) has strongly objected to the recommendations of All Political Parties Committee (APPC) on ILP, which envisage for declaring Manipur as a Hill State.

In a press statement issued by Honreikhui Kashung, General Secretary of NPF Manipur State unit, the Front charged that the Political Parties Committee formed to look into the demands for implementation of ILP system in the state has tried to politicize the matter by digging the Hill and Valley issue.

It questioned, why there was need to form All Political Parties Committee, even when the Manipur Legislative Assembly had passed the resolutions in support of ILP on two occasions.

While saying that report tends to vitiate the hill areas of Manipur, NPF has appealed to the Hill Areas Committee to remain alert if the move is going against the people of the hills.

In also wondered whether the said Committee is constitutionally empowered to restructure or rearrange the hill areas of Manipur.

APPC's role and function is just to study and analyze the feasibility for implementing ILP system in the state.

However, the Committee has gone beyond its role and functions by recommending Hill Area status for the whole of Manipur, said the statement while alleging that it is constitutionally invalid.

The NPF asserted that the APCC should have recommended proper implementation of ILP and also equal development of Hill and valley to check the alarming influx of non-locals.

It is doubtful whether the APCC had consulted the academicians, experts and individuals belonging to the tribals.

The rights and interests of the tribals as provided in the Article 371(C) of Indian Constitution should be protected in letter and spirit, the statement urged.

While upholding the rights interest and welfare of the tribals and minority people, the NPF also said that the Front will oppose any policy which is anti-people or anti-tribals.

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