Imphal, Jan 8: The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM) has urged the Government of Manipur to expedite the conduct of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) elections at the earliest to restore grass-root democracy and local self-government for the hill tribals of Manipur.
The elections for the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), mandated under Sections 11 & 13 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971, were due in 2020 but have not been conducted, it said. “Now, four years have lapsed without any progress, representing a significant denial of democratic rights and political suppression of grass-root local self-government in the hill tribal areas. This prolonged inaction appears to be an intentional effort to weaken and demolish the framework of Local Self-Government, thereby suppressing constitutional tribal rights,” the tribal youth body stated.
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According to the TYCM, the non-existence of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for the past four years has led to a loss of development opportunities for the tribal population and the abandonment of numerous beneficial schemes. The council also said these losses cannot be easily recovered/compensated for by future generations. Furthermore, the failure to conduct ADC elections constitutes a suppression of the tribal communities in hill areas and is a violation of the Indian Constitution, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971, and the law of the land.
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The Hill Areas Committee (HAC) had resolved to recommend to the Government of Manipur to conduct the long-pending election to the ADCs as soon as possible. As the system of Caretaker Chairmanship has been cancelled vide Order No. TA-501/1/2022 e-TA & H, Government of Manipur, in compliance with the Hon’ble Gauhati High Court order dated 15. 03. 2024 passed in WA. No. 353 of 2023, a temporary committee consisting of 20 members for each ADC was proposed to be formed until elections are conducted, it pointed out. This includes 18 members selected from former ADC members, experts in local self-governance, and eminent persons, along with 2 government nominees, the council added.
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The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971 does not provide for the formation of such interim committees, and the proposed measure is not only extra-legal but also a direct affront to the democratic principles underlying the ADCs, said the TYCM. The youth body also said the Gauhati High Court’s order dated 15. 03. 2024 passed in WA. No. 353 of 2023, “clearly states that the appointment of Caretaker Chairmanship is unconstitutional”. It added, “These temporary measures risk creating confusion and undermining the faith of tribal communities in local self-government”.
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The TYCM then strongly objected to this resolution, “which blatantly violates” the provisions of The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971. The proposed measures are illogical and unconstitutional, causing confusion among tribal communities, it also said. “These actions attempt to eradicate and abolish the principles and spirit of the 1971 Act, which was established to ensure appropriate representation in local self-government. The decision of the HAC misleads the tribal populace and invites unnecessary complications,” the tribal youth body mentioned.
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The TYCM said it had already submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister of Manipur, the Governor of Manipur and the Chairman of Hill Areas Committee (HAC), urging them for immediate attention and action on these pressing issues. The TYCM reiterated its demand for the timely conduct of ADC elections and the restoration of democratic rights to the tribal population of Manipur.
(Newmai News Network)
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