Ukhrul Cong, Tangkhul CSOs condemn HAC decision
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, October 23 2024: Ukhrul District Congress Committee (UDCC) and Ukhrul-based Tangkhul civil society organisations have outrightly rejected the recent decision of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) to temporarily entrust an interim committee oversee administration of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).

Condemning the HAC's proposal for formation of an interim committee in place of elected ADCs, the UDCC has called the move a big insult to the hill people of the state.

Addressing a press conference in Ukhrul town on Wednesday, UDCC president Standhope Kashak and general secretary Churchil Varu stated that the resolution of the HAC is a great insult to the hill people, while undermining the Article 371C of the Indian Constitution.

They warned that the Congress party and the UDCC would not remain silent, asserting: "We will fight tooth and nail if the state government succumbs to this unconstitutional, undemocratic and illegal recommendation, and the party is ready to drag this matter to the Court of Law".

"Which article and section in the Indian Constitution permits this kind of rapacious short cut electoral process?" they questioned, adding that the move is gross violation of the judgement and orders by the Gauhati High Court that cancelled the Care-taker Chairmanship of the ADCs on March 15, 2024 .

They further questioned how members of ADCs, who have the power to legislate on matters like Agriculture, Forest, Land Management and social customs of the Hill Areas, could be appointed/selected by choice of the government.

The UDCC leaders also accused the BJP of being anti-hill people, anti-tribals and anti-communal harmony.

"As such, the present government deliberately chose not to conduct the long-pending ADC elections for the last 4 years and is intent on destroying the grass-roots democracy of the hill people," they contended.

They also pointed out that the hill people of the state have been completely denied of central funds and schemes related with ADCs, and Finance Commission Grants and added that the non-release of MGNREGA funds for the last 4 years is another ample proof.

Tangkhul civil society organisations under the banner of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) also rejected the recommendation of the HAC for what they termed as 'reconstituted ADCs' to function in the hill districts.

In response to the decision, the organisations have called for immediate resignation of the HAC chairman.

Briefing the media at his office chamber on Wednesday, TNL president Sword Vashum, representing the collective voice of the community's organisations, asserted that the HAC's recommendation for the reconstituted ADCs to function in the hill districts as an interim arrangement pending the ADC elections, undermines the interest of the tribal population, especially the Nagas.

"We will never allow such an undemocratic, unconstitutional body to function as a democratic institution.

In no way, and under no circumstances, can it be considered as a people's democratic institution," he emphasised.

The president further stated that the HAC chairman who is supposed to protect the interests of the tribals, has betrayed the trust placed in him by recommending the reconstituted ADC against the wish of the people.

"So, it is our collective decision that the HAC chairman must go," Sword Vashum declared, demanding that he must step down.

He also urged the other HAC members to clarify their stance on the matter, suggesting that they immediately disassociate from the decision if they oppose it.

He then sought clear positions of the Tangkhul MLAs who are members of the HAC.

Representatives of the four Tangkhul Longphangs (zonal bodies), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) and TNL Phunvas (executives) attended the press briefing to register their collective voice of discontent.

Sword Vashum explained that at the request of the state government, the HAC adopted the resolution on October 14 to reconstitute each of the ADCs which will consist of 20 members, of which 13 will be selected from among the former ADC members and five deemed as experts in local self-governance and two nominated by the government.

Noting that the post of ADC caretaker chairmanship was struck down by the Gauhati High Court on ground of being unconstitutional, he questioned as to how the ADCs could be reconstituted without the sanction of the constitutional provisions of the Article 371C.Vashum also decried the prolonged delay in conducting the ADC elections and urged the state government not to make the elections a 'matter of convenience' for the government.

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