NPLFM demands President's Rule
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2016: A six-member delegation of the Naga Political Leaders' Forum Manipur (NPLFM) called on Governor V Shanmunagathan at the Raj Bhavan last evening and submitted a memorandum demanding dismissal of the incumbent State Government.

After listening patiently, the Governor assured the delegation that he would take up the matter in consultation with Constitutional experts, according to a press release issued by NPLFM secretary Athuan Abonmai.

The memorandum said that there is unrest in the hill districts of Manipur as a consequence of the passage of three Bills on the demand of JCILPS by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 last year.

It alleged that the passage of the three Bills has hidden agenda to intrude and infringe upon the rights and interest of tribal people living in the five hill districts.

On August 28 last year, when the three Bills were presented at the Manipur Legislative Assembly, tribal civil society organisations had warned the Government of the impending danger if the Bills were passed despite the stiff opposition.

By not referring the Bills to the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), the Assembly flouted rules and procedure and conduct of business and hence failed to protect the sanctity of the Constitution of India.

Till now the Government has neither agreed to withdraw the Bills nor agreed to make amendments to the provisions of the Bills despite similar demands made by various civil organisations of the tribal people just as JCILPS was demanding withdrawal of MRVTMW Bill, and thus the Government failed to treat all sections of people on an equal footing.

The JCILPS demand for withdrawal of MRVTMW Bill was on the ground of the Bill failing to meet the aspiration of the people.

On the other hand, the demand of the tribal people for withdrawal of the three contentious Bills or for making necessary amendments is not merely on the ground of the Bills failing to meet the aspirations of the people but more importantly on the ground of failure of the Government to follow the established rules of procedures and conduct of business in passing the three Bills and vitiated the sanctity of the Constitution of India.

The Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015 has in its statement of objectives and reasons inserted the phrase "Manipur is one of the small hill States.

The connotation and import of the words 'hill State' is nowhere explained in the body of the Bill which conveys utter dishonesty of the Government, reads the memorandum.

It further urged the Governor to take up necessary actions to impose President's Rule in the State.

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