The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) questioned the state government regarding the status for timely conduct of Autonomous District Council (ADC) election in the state which was repeatedly demanded by the union.
The union cautioned that if the state government considered the patience of the union as a weakness it will go ahead its agitation that was deferred.
Speaking to the media at its Adimjati Complex office Imphal on Sunday, general secretary of ATSUM SR Andrea said that deferring ADC elections amounts to suppressing the constitutional rights of the tribal people in the state.
He pointed out that an agreement was reached between the union and the state government on November 4 for holding the ADC election in the month of November since the tenure of the ADCs will end in the same month.
The general secretary also said that the tenure of the ADCs members were extended from June this year till November and the state government has also issued a notification that the election will be conducted in the same month (November).
He further informed that a State Cabinet meeting which was convened on November 10 this year had also decided not to further extend the office tenure of ADC Members after its expiry on November 30 and to hold the ADC election on time.
The cabinet resolution was also intimated to the state election commission and the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) had also taken a resolution on October 8, 2020 to hold the ADC election on time.
However, there is no tangible action or preparation being taken up in the State in line with holding ADC election, Andria added.
The general secretary further questions whether the posts of ADC Members will be left vacant following the expiry of the incumbent ADC Members and he questions what would be the status of the ADC.
