IMPHAL Aug 31:Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committtee submitted a memorandom to the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram today with regard to the response of the state government on their demand.
The memorandom mentionrd that the SHDDC would consider lifting of economic blockade after getting a positive response from the Home Minister,whom the committee members had met on 17 and 20 August. It was advised to the Chief Minister by Chidambaram to do the needful regarding the districthood demand. However , O Ibobi on August 23 had announced the constitution of a committee of ‘Reorganisation of Administrative and Police District Boundaries and completely ignored the directive of the Union Home Department for consultating with the SHDDC members, it alleged.
The CM on August 29 made a formal appeal to the president of SHDDC for lifting the blockade in the interest of the public. But the memorandom said that it contained no reference to the SHDDC’s demand which caused apprehension to the people,besides the constitution of a sub committee for demarcating boundaries have never been the demand nor was a creation of a Sadar Hills. It said the demand for the last many years is the implmentation of Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Act,1971 which was passed by the Indian Parliament,whereas the Chief Minister has failed to address this core issue in his appeal, the memorandom states.
Further, it alleged that the CM has totally ignored the advice from the Union Home Ministry and resorted to doubtful diplomacy to cheat the people. As a fallout,the SHDDC is left with no option but to continue the agitation, the memorandom urged the Union Home Minister to intervene in the regard and to direct the state government to award the district status.