IMPHAL, September 10: A press conference was called in today at the official quarter of Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip in Babupara regarding exclusion of several villages from the upcoming gram panchayat election.
Speaking to media persons, Thangboi Vaiphei, secretary, Phowaibi Area Vaiphei Chief Association, said Leirongthel Nignel and Lourambam under Bongbal Khullen ADC have been included in the Gram Panchayat election.
He further said that as the government has failed to respond to their demands, a 24-hour-general strike has been imposed in Sadar Hills starting from September 12 midnight till midnight of September 13.
He continued that these villages have already been under the operation of the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council and said that the locals prefer it that way.
He further continued that the state government had also issued an order earlier that villages under ADC will be excluded for the Panchayat election but it has not been followed in action.
He said that a memorandum was also submitted to the Minister RD & Panchayati Raj, Francis Ngajokpa through the Chairman of Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, Kangpokpi to look into the matter and make the necessary measures to exclude those villages that have already been under the operation of the Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council from the ensuing Panchayat Election in the interest of the general public.
A memorandum each were also submitted to the Hill Area Committee Chairman, ADC Chairman of Sadar Hills, State Election commissioner, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Thoubal District Election Officer regarding the issue, he added.
Further, a joint meeting under the name of Rural Upliftment Federation Area Tribal Community including the representatives of the other affected 18 villages held on August 11 had unanimously agreed to boycott the upcoming Panchayati Raj Election in case their demand for exclusion from Gram Panchayat Election are not considered, he said.
He further said that as the government has failed to respond to their demands, a 24-hour-general strike has been imposed in Sadar Hills starting from September 12 midnight till midnight of September 13.
The general strike has been jointly imposed by Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, KSO Sadar Hills, TSA Sadar Hills, COPTAM Sadar Hills, Saikul Area Naga People Organization and Vaiphei Chief Association.
Meanwhile, the Saikul Area Naga People Organisation has also condemned the state government for including Irong Part I, Part II, Somrei, Soraland, Tangkhul Khullen, Komlaching, Lungthar, Heinganglok and Kharan in the panchayati election, in a separate press release.
The release said, the above villages are within the jurisdiction of Bongal Khullen ADC constituency under Sadar Hills ADC and that the villagers had fully exercise their francise during the last ADC election.