FATCYM resents neglect of Chandel and Ukhrul
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 01 2012:
The Federation of All Tribal Youth Clubs, Manipur (FATYCM) has warned of serious consequences both in terms of social and political confrontations if immediate intervention and alternative arrangement of administrative measures and economic upliftment of Chandel and Ukhrul districts are not taken up at the earliest possible time to avoid further mistrust and frustration as these two districts are left out deliberately and willfully by the Chief Minister of Manipur in the recent distribution of Ministerial berths in the state.
This was stated by FATCYM in a follow - up memorandum submitted to Sonia Gandhi, president and chairperson All India Congress Committee (AICC), United Peoples' Alliance (UPA), New Delhi, to an earlier memorandum submitted on March 12, 2012 in regard to the distribution of ministerial posts in Manipur.
The memorandum stated that considering the importance of the issue and the anger and displeasure of the people of Ukhrul and Chandel districts at not being represented in the O.Ibobi Singh led Congress government in Manipur, a second memorandum was being submitted before the matter can flare up to serious consequences both in terms of social and political confrontations.
The two districts of Chandel and Ukhrul are left out deliberately and willfully by the chief minister of Manipur, O.Ibobi Singh in the recent distribution of ministerial berths in the state cabinet, accused FATCYM, and added that people of these districts are hurt beyond description as they feel that they are politically exploited, side - lined and marginalized both economically and politically.
"If this kind of treatment continues people of these areas cannot be and shall not be blamed if any agitation is taken up democratically against the government", cautioned the memorandum.
The memorandum pointed out that contrary to the hopes and wishes of the people of Manipur, three ministerial posts are given to Imphal West district and three to Thoubal districts, in addition to the chief minister who is also from Thoubal district, while no ministerial berth were given to Chandel and Ukhrul districts, and asked if the "age-old exploited areas are not Manipur, or part of India" .
The memorandum of FATCYM demanded to give "immediate alternative arrangement or declare that these two districts, Ukhrul and Chandel, are no longer in the state of Manipur" .
It reminded that Ukhrul and Chandel districts are situated on the international borders with Myanmar and China, and any mismanagement in administration and negligence willfully can lead to dangerous confrontation between the people of these areas and the country.
The memorandum demanded immediate intervention of the UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, for alternative arrangement of administrative measure and economic upliftment of the two districts at the earliest possible time to avoid further mistrust and frustration, in the interest of the state and the country.