O Joy sets agenda for meeting with Amit Shah
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 26 2020: The State Government and the civil society organisations should talk about key issues facing the State with Union Home Minister Amit Shah when he arrives here tomorrow, said veteran politician O Joy today.

Speaking to media persons at his residence at Kakwa, the former Minister said that CSOs should discuss the issues relating to delimitation, Naga peace talks and war on drugs.

The 2001 census was controversial as it recorded abnormal population growth of over 100 percent in some sub-divisions.

And as such the delimitation in Manipur, he said, was put on hold till 2026 by the Delimitation Committee in 2008.Structures of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the State are at present based on the 1971 census.

There are 19 Assembly seats reserved for ST and 1 unreserved seat in the hill districts and 40 unreserved seats in the valley districts.

If delimitation is conducted based on the controversial 2001 census, the hills would gain 3 seats while the valley loses 3 .

This he said would be same as doing "injustice" to the people of the valley considering the abnormal growth of population recorded in some hill sub-divisions.

A delimitation based on 2001 census would not ensure proper representation of the people in the Government, he said adding that the CSOs should discuss the issue with Amit Shah during his visit.

On Naga peace talks, he said that a lasting peaceful solution is welcome, however the solution between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM should not infringe upon the State's interests, integrity and administrative structure.

Regarding war on drugs, O Joy said that the State Government, the Union Home Minister and CSOs should talk about finding effective ways to curb drug problems and strengthen Government's war on drugs.

After Lhukhosei Zou, the then accused in the 2018 multi-crore drug haul case was acquitted by the Court, there have been many public cries urging the Government to appeal the case to higher Court.

Moreover, Th Brinda had returned the Chief Minister's Gallantry Medal given to her for arresting the accused persons in the case.

Like people, the Government must be concerned about the case, he said.

Drug trafficking and abuse is a problem that poses a grave threat to the future generations.

During Amit Shah's visit, the CSOs and the State Government should minutely discuss the issues and strengthen war on drugs, he added.

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