IMPHAL, Oct 31: A team from the Naga Lawyers’ Association, Manipur, led by President Adv. Mark Khapai, met with the Governor of Manipur to address Resolution No. 59/2024-(HAC) and Memo No. 4/29/2022-27-LA(HAC), dated October 14, 2024, issued by the Hill Area Committee.
In their memorandum, the Association expressed serious concerns regarding the Resolution, which recommends the selection and appointment of members to the Autonomous District Council (ADC) from former ADC members, experts in local self-government, and other distinguished individuals. Additionally, two members would be government nominees from the respective districts until ADC elections are held. This recommendation is based on a decision made by the Government of Manipur’s Cabinet on June 13, 2024.
The Naga Lawyers’ Association questioned the legal grounds on which the Hill Area Committee based its recommendation to appoint the entire ADC through nominations, bypassing the democratic election process mandated by Section 4 (2) of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971, which stipulates that elections should occur based on adult suffrage.
The memorandum urged the Governor to exercise the special powers conferred under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution, as per Rules GSR 317(E) issued by the President of India on June 20, 1972. The Association stressed the importance of the Governor’s intervention to facilitate the prompt conduct of ADC elections, which have been delayed for nearly four years since the last term ended. The continued absence of ADC offices in the hills has disrupted essential governance and development, adversely affecting the rights of hill communities.
