Ukhrul: A team from the Naga Lawyers’ Association, Manipur, led by its President, Adv. Mark Khapai, met with the Governor of Manipur, Lakshman Prasad Acharya to request the annulment of Resolution No. 59/2024-(HAC) and Memo No. 4/29/2022-27-LA(HAC), dated 14th October 2024, issued by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).
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The memorandum conveyed serious concerns regarding the unprecedented resolution recommended to the Government of Manipur by the Hill Area Committee. This recommendation references the decision of the Manipur Cabinet on 13th June 2024, which calls for the selection or appointment of Autonomous District Council (ADC) members from former ADC members, experts in local self-government, or other eminent persons and intellectuals. In addition, two members would be government nominees from the respective districts until the ADC elections are held.
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The Naga Lawyer’s Association, through its memorandum, questioned the legal basis or provisions under which the Hill Areas Committee made its recommendation, as it bypasses the democratic process outlined in Section 4 (2) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971, which mandates elections solely based on adult suffrage.
The Association urged the Governor to take immediate action, invoking the special powers granted under Article 371C of the Constitution of India, along with its related Rules GSR 317(E), issued by the President of India on 20th June 1972. Furthermore, the Association emphasized the need for the Governor’s intervention to expedite the ADC elections, which have been delayed for nearly four years since the last term ended. The prolonged vacancy in the ADC offices has not only hindered essential governance and development in the hill areas but also deprived the rights of the people, the memorandum stated.
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