Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10:
Objecting to holding Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayat election under Panchayati Raj Act within the jurisdiction of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council where the District Council Act, 1971 is already in force, the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee has demanded the Government to stop the election process at once.
Talking to some of the reporters at the office of chairman of Hill Areas Committee this afternoon, representatives of Sadar Hills District Demand Committee and Sadar Hills Chief Association categorically stated that there cannot be two types of administration in Sadar Hills area at all.
The process being made by the Government to hold Panchayat election in Sadar Hills area in contradiction to public demand for upgrading Sadar Hills to a full-fledged revenue district would act like pouring oil into the fire, president of Sadar Hills District Demand Committee Haokholen Guite said.
So, the State Government should immediately stop the election process of Koubru Leikha, Parsian, Suntalabari, Kalapahar and Tulibari Gram Panchayat which come under the jurisdiction of Sadar Hills Autonomous Council, he said.
Election should not be held and no one should file the nomination paper, the Demand Committee president warned.
Maintaining that Panchayati Raj Act cannot be enforced in hill areas, Guite contended that the election of the Autonomous District Council should be conducted in accordance to the provisions of District Council Act, 1971 only under which Nepalese can also contest in the election, he said.
While recalling the Gazette notification of the Government in connection with amendment of the District Council Act to allow only the tribals to contest in the election and no other communities although they have the rights to vote, Guite said the election of the District Council has not been held following the case filed by the Nepalese in the Court against the said amendment.
However, the amendment of the Act passed in 2000 has been repealed on April 18, 2006 and District Council Act, 1971 reinstated and enforced.
So bringing in Panchayati Act in Sadar Hills areas where the District Council Act is already in forced is unreasonable and should not be allowed, he said.
Questioning why the Government has not conceded to the demand for district status of Sadar Hills although a movement is being launched for the last 30 years, Guite informed that the District Demand Committee is prepared to launch an intense agitation if the Government does not appoint a Deputy Commissioner for Sadar Hills by August 15.
Chairman of Hill Areas Committee Thangminlen Kipgen and MLAs of Saitu and Saikul A/Cs Haokholet Kipgen and Doukhomang Khongsai have jointly signed a letter and submitted the same to the Chief Minister on August 8 objecting to holding Zilla Parishad and Gram Panchayat election in the areas of Sadar Hills District Council.