IMPHAL, Feb 19: The Manipur State Committee of Communist Party of India (Marxist) which met on February 8 and 9 at its office in the presence of Central Committee member of the party Gautam Das took stock of the present development in the hill areas of Manipur, particularly in Churachandpur district, said a statement of the CPI (M).
It said the meeting expressed grief at the loss of lives in the hill district during the recent agitation.
It said the party feels that the long pending demand of the tribal people, the extension of the 6th schedule of Constitution to create Autonomous District Council in the tribal contiguous areas is a rightful demand.
The present ADC created by the State government under the 7th Schedule could not fulfill the aspiration of the tribal people in Manipur, it said.
It said the State Committee of the CPI (M) demands the extension of the 6th schedule of the Constitution in the Hill districts of Manipur, the existing district areas of Manipur should be redemarcated and reorganized before the extension of the 6th schedule in the hill districts, rights to livelihood for the peoples residing near the foothills shall be protected and the territorial integrity of Manipur shall be preserved and safeguarded.