UCM sees threat to integrity in ADC Bill
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2021: The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has categorically stated that the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Bill recommended by the Hill Areas Committee is a sectarian Bill that may disrupt the integrity of Manipur.

A press release issued by UCM also stated that the Bill was not recommended for the collective development of Manipur or in the larger interest of the State.

Asking if the elected leaders had discussed the content of the controversial Bill among themselves before the same is tabled in the State Assembly, the UCM claimed that frequent discussion of community based agenda as if there are two parallel Governments in the State is rather unfortunate.

The committee also reminded that the State has witnessed several Chief Ministers belonging to different communities such as Yangmaso Shaiza; Mohammed Alimuddin and Rishang Keishing who worked for the common good of Manipur.

Claiming that certain elected leaders are engaging in activities that are detrimental to the State's unity, the committee alleged that these leaders with vested interest have also been breaching the rules of the State Assembly and the conduct of its business.

It went on to ask as to why the MLAs have been maintaining stoic silence when some leaders with vested interest are instigating the people to create ruckus in the name of development of a certain community or group.

Claiming that no formalities were maintained in an attempt to table the Bill, the UCM claimed that the demand for a separate Chief Secretary is a validation that the HAC considers itself to be a parallel Government in Manipur.

For such a demand to be materialised, amendment of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (HAC) order, 1972 through a Presidential order is required, it said and claimed that demanding a separate secretariat in the presence of a tribal development authority under the State administration is an attempt to form a separate State within the State.

Claiming that the HAC which was established to work for the welfare of the people in remote hill areas is engaging in activities that are detrimental to the State, the UCM said that the Presidential order which enacted the HAC didn't mention anything about separate administration.

The HAC was formed to aid the Government in its programmes and policies, it claimed.

Continuing that the UCM has been closely monitoring the contemporary political scenario in Manipur, the statement maintained that the committee is also ready to resist and fight any leader who indulges in communal politics, inimical to the collective interest of the State.

The committee also urged the State Government to take up concrete measures in order to strengthen the existing administrative set-up.

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