ANSAM disapproves pact signed on ADC issue
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Senapati, September 18 2022: The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) in its "emergency legislative assembly on September 15, 2022 at ANSAM Secretariat, Senapati unanimously denounced the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) clandestinely signed on August 7, 2022 between the Government of Manipur, the chairman of Hill Areas Committee and members of ATSUM, KSO-GHQ and ANSAM without any consultation with the executive council and constituent units" .

According to the Naga students' body, after an in-depth lengthy discussion, the 'emergency legislative assembly' unanimously affirmed to 'rigidly' oppose all exercises undertaken by the state government in pursuance of the already rejected Sixth and Seventh (Manipur Hill Areas) District Councils Bill, 2022 .

"That, the non-reference of Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Sixth Amendment Bill, 2022 to the Hill Areas Committee by deceitfully presenting it as a Money Bill, contradicts the provisions of the Constitution of India and hence such unconstitutional Amendment is not acceptable," the ANSAM said on Sunday in a statement.

According to the statement, the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) and "sister organisations" have also repeatedly requested the HAC to pursue the erstwhile unanimously recommended The Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill 2021 .

"Instead, the legislators of the Hill Areas have embraced the handiwork of the executive thus thwarting the permissible legislative procedure," it also said, while, adding, "It is very unfortunate that the people we elected with our precious votes have failed to safeguard our rights and arrogantly refused to acknowledge the same".

Hence, according to the ANSAM statement, flaunting such an "unconstitutionally" passed Act against the interest of the tribals' future in a seemingly acceptable approach should immediately stop.

It also said that any further pursuance in regard to the controversial and rejected Sixth Amendment, be it delimitation and other related exercise would be considered anti-tribal and the respective MLAs involved in any manner in this illegitimate pursuit would be responsible for any untoward actions that follows from the public.

The ANSAM statement then said, "Our representatives should not unconstitutionally misuse the powers and mandates given to the HAC and promote such hollow exercise and attempt to befool the public" .

It further said that the HAC was conceived to safeguard the interest of the tribals and should exist for the same purpose and intent as stated in Article 371C of the constitution.

The ANSAM then appealed to the public not to be hoodwinked by such invitation to participate in an "unconstitutional exercise and recognise that it will be extremely detrimental to our tribals' political future" .

It added, "Let us stand together towards achieving our rightful constitutional provisions and abstain from shrinking our political rights for generations to come" .

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