Imphal: The Naga People’s Front (NPF), an ally of the BJP-led government in Manipur, has called on the state government to expedite the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections.
In a statement issued by its general secretary (Administration) Honreikhui Kashung, the NPF Manipur State Unit expressed serious concerns over the repeated delays in holding the ADC elections, a situation ongoing since 1970, which has deprived local self-governance rights.
The press statement noted that when Manipur was granted statehood in 1972, Article 371(C) was enacted to provide special provisions for the state. To fulfill this provision, the Indian Parliament enacted the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act of 1971. This act aimed to strengthen Indian democracy at the district and grassroots levels, making it imperative for all authorities, including successive governments, to uphold this constitutional provision.
“There was a time when the ADC election was postponed for a period of 20 years. The last ADC election was due in 2020 and was supposed to be held in May or June of that year. However, under the pretext of the Covid-19 lockdown, the ADC election has been postponed till date,” the NPF stated.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections were held in early 2022, and the 18th Lok Sabha elections were recently concluded. Therefore, the NPF argues that the competent authorities must conduct the ADC election to uphold the three-tier system of Indian Democracy.
The NPF/MSU state office bearers’ meeting thoroughly discussed this matter and decided to appeal to the state government to conduct the ADC election at the earliest possible time.
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Moreover, the party expressed its appreciation and decided to cooperate with the state cabinet’s decision to hold elections for the ADC, Panchayat, and Municipalities in September 2024.
The NPF emphasised that the cabinet’s decision must be carried out positively and warned that failing to conduct the said elections would amount to a neglect of constitutional provisions vital for the development of Manipur’s hill areas.
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