PPC defends dists creation with 'people's rights' line
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2021: Days after the UNC (United Naga Council) strongly reacted against "activities of the Government to legalise the new districts in Naga areas by proposing to hold ADC elections", the People's Progressive Council (PPC) has asserted that the creation of the new districts was the legitimate rights and demand of the people of the four hill districts-Kamjong, Noney, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal.

On April 9, the UNC had released a statement asserting that the State Government had dishonoured a memorandum of understanding it signed with the Naga people when seven new districts were created in 2016.The spirit of the MoU was that the Government would consult all Naga stakeholders when creating new districts, it claimed.

It may be mentioned here that the four new districts of Pherzawl, Kamjong, Noney and Tengnoupal were among the seven new districts created by way of bifurcation from existing districts on December 8, 2016 by the then Congress Government.

The newly created districts are Tengnoupal, bifurcated from Chandel district; Kamjong-bifurcated from Ukhrul; Noney from Tamenglong; Pherzawl from Churachandpur; Kangpokpi from Senapati and Jiribam from Imphal East district.

Significantly, the UNC's reaction came amid the Government's proposal to hold elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) of the 10 hill districts in the State.

Moreover, while the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has been urging the Government to hold elections to six existing ADCs, the Demand Committee on Creation of ADCs has been pressuring the Government to create ADCs for the four new hills districts and hold elections to all the ADCs simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the People's Progressive Council (PPC), reacting to the UNC's statement, asserted that the creation of the four new hill districts was the demand of the people to bring equal development and justice.

The creation of the districts was not directed against any group or individual of the State, it said in a statement.

The people of the four new hill districts-Kamjong, Noney, Pherzawl and Tengnoupal have been demanding the Government of Manipur to create separate Autonomous District Councils.

By asserting that the new districts can't be legalised, the UNC is standing in the way, blocking the future and shunning the democratic and Constitutional rights of the people of the four districts, said PPC.

It also recalled that the High Court had dismissed a PIL and writ petition challenging the creation of the new districts in 2017 .

The State Government's decision was challenged in the form of PIL (Public Interest Litigation) and writ petition in the High Court of Manipur in 2017 by Naga organisations and two individuals-All Tangkhul Youth Council (TMNL), Hao Heritage Foundation, N Wungreiyo (Member of Ukhrul ADC) and L Rangpung John (Member of Senapati ADC) .

The High Court had dismissed the PIL and the writ petition, it said.

The PPC stressed that the UNC and its frontal organisations should review their decisions in the matter in the interest of the tribal people of the four hill districts, and avoid social unrest.

For information, Manipur now has 16 districts after seven new districts were created in 2016 .

The districts are Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Jiribam, Kakching, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Noney, Pherzawl, Senapati, Tamenglong, Tengnoupal, Thoubal and Ukhrul.

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