Jiri joins District Demand shut down
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 04 2011: In protest against alleged callous attitude of the State Government to the demand for upgrading Jiribam sub-division to a revenue district, Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) has decided to resume its agitation with the imposition of total blockade in the sub-division from November 10 midnight.

making the announcement at Manipur Press Club here today, JDDC convenor M Maipaksana said recent signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee and ignoring similar demand placed by the JDDC has prompted the Committee to enforce the total blockade.

Highlighting that JDDC had been pursuing its demand in a peaceful manner contrary to loss of human lives and damage caused to a number of vehicles and Government establishments during the course of the Sadar Hills agitation, the convenor said signing of MoU with SHDDC on October 31 night and continuously ignoring aspiration of the Jiribam people indicate that the Government of Manipur does not understand democratic principle and spirit.

He also construed that stance of the SPF Government on the Jiribam issue substantiates the general apprehension that the Government is interested with only location of Jiribam while aspiration and sentiment of its people have insignificant relevance to the Government.

Further stating that JDDC contemplates indifferent attitude of the Government as an affront to the people and has resolved to pursue its agenda in an intense manner from November 10 midnight, Maipaksana declared that apart from Government establishments in the subdivision even educational institutions will remain closed till the demand is honoured.

Pointing out that the Delimitation Commission of India had on November 20, 2006 endorsed proposal of the Government of Manipur, based on the State Cabinet's decision (July 26, 2006), to upgrade Jiribam sub-division to a revenue district as per existing boundary, the JDDC convenor asserted that it is meaningless for the Committee to present its case at the ongoing public hearing of the Committee on Reorganisation of Administrative and Police District Boundaries in the State.

Reminding the chief Minister of his repeated comments that Jiribam cannot be accorded district status for similar demand is pending with regard to Sadar Hills, Maipaksana expressed that there should be no such impediment in honouring Jiribam people's demand in view of signing of MoU with SHDDC.

Recounting that demand for Jiribam district had been lingering since 2006 with one Khundrakpam Rajkumar detained at Sajiwa Jail for launching indefinite hunger strike in pursuit of the demand, the convenor also regretted that there had been insignificant support from civil society organisations to aspiration of Jiribam public.

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