IMPHAL, Sept 2: Advocate Khaidem Mani contended Manipur qualifies to be called `a small hill state`™ during a press meet called at his chamber today.
He compared the physical demography of Manipur with Nagaland and Mizoram and said that being a State with 9/10 of the geographical area comprising of hill areas, Manipur qualifies to be a `small hill state`™.
While expressing his condolence for the seven persons who had died in the ongoing Churachandpur protest, he asked to know the areas of contention in the three bills which were passed in the Assembly on the August 31.
He read the text of Article 371(C) and claimed he sees no violation of this in the recent bills.
When this reporter intervened and reminded him the HAC was not even consulted on the three bills, he said the government is responsible for that and blamed the lack of governance for the present situation.
He also opined that `perhaps the contention is in the definition of Manipur people with 1951 as the base year`.
According to him the situation is a result of unfortunate misunderstandings and miscommunications.