Days of tension give way to celebratory mood ; SHDDC credits titular King
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 01 2011: With the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee suspending the record breaking 92 days economic blockade late last night following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which ahs paved the way for the creation of Sadar Hills district, the tension filled days have given way to one of celebratory mood.

SHDDC president Ngamkhohao said the talk between the Government of Manipur and the committee last evening was initiated by the Government through Deputy Speaker, of the State Assembly, L Lokeshwore.

During the meeting, SHDDC urged the Government to take up necessary steps to inaugurate the proposed Sadar Hills district as soon as possible, Ngamkhohao said while speaking to the media at Kangpokpi today.

He said representatives of SHDDC also urged the Government to compensate the people of Sadar Hills for the long 40 years that Sadar Hills has been left in the limbo.As a token, the Government is all set to create three new sub-divisions/ TD Blocks in Sadar Hills, he added.

"If the election code of conduct comes into force before the re-organising committee can submit its report, we will ask the Centre to have a talk with Election Commission of India (ECI) to relax it and facilitate the inauguration of Sadar Hills district," he further said.

Wrecked truck being towed away

"The Central Government has recognized our demand.

So, we have faith in it," he said.

However, the SHDDC president said some people in Sadar Hills are confused over what the State Government will do now.

A lot of people also believe that some positive results will be coming out of the MoU signed late last night between the Government and SHDDC.

"However, the talk was held only because of the appeal made by titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba for whom we have high regards," claimed SHDDC general secretary Tonghen Kipgen, who was also present at the press interaction.

He said, "Besides the titular king, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had appealed twice and various civil society organizations also appealed many times to end the blockade" .

"We are keenly waiting and seeing the government move", he added.

The government and SHDDC brought a conclusion to end the economic blockade after nine rounds of talks.

During the talk at the Chief Minister's bungalow on Monday night, the government of Manipur agreed to upgrade Sadar Hills as a full-fledged district at the earliest after submission of the District Re-organization Committee report.

The government also agreed for creation of three sub-divisions/TD Block by bifurcating the existing Kangpokpi, Saitu and Gamphazol sub-divisions within the month of November.

It also agreed to withdraw all the legal cases against SHDDC leaders and volunteers and other legal involvement over the agitation.