Imphal, Sept 24: The Imphal Naga Forum (INF) has urged the Manipur government to conduct the delayed Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections with enhanced autonomy and financial authority. The forum expressed serious concern over the extended postponement of these elections in the hill districts of the state.
In a press release, the INF criticized the state government for failing to fulfill its repeated assurances to hold local body elections, such as for Municipalities, Panchayats, and ADCs. Despite multiple promises, no significant action has been taken to schedule these elections.
The most recent cabinet decision on June 13, 2024, was relayed to the Secretary of the Manipur State Assembly by the Deputy Secretary of Tribal Development & Hills on July 24, 2024, requesting feedback from the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) regarding local elections. Additionally, the Chief Minister’s Secretary, N Geoffrey, wrote to the Special Chief Secretary on June 24, 2024, seeking the HAC’s input on holding the ADC elections, following the cabinet’s directive.
Originally set for June 2020, the ADC elections were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although state and parliamentary elections were held during the pandemic, the ADC polls remain delayed. This has led to growing frustration within the hill communities, as the absence of elected ADC members has stalled local development and denied the people their right to self-governance.
The INF expressed disappointment in the HAC chairman for failing to organize a meeting of hill MLAs to finalize the ADC polls. The forum called on the HAC to expedite the process and recommend holding the elections with more autonomy and financial power. They urged the HAC chairman to act quickly and communicate their decision to the state government.
The forum also warned that if the elections are not held soon, the public may have no choice but to initiate protests and agitations to demand the immediate conduct of the ADC polls.
