Create ADCs call

IMPHAL, Feb 23: The pending elections of the Autonomous District Councils may be boycotted if ADCs are not created for Pherzawl, Kamjong, Noney and Tengnoupal district, said Demand Committee on Creation of the ADCs today.
Speaking to reporters at Manipur Press Club today, the committee’s convenor, Simon Kamei said the committee will be launching stringent democratic agitation if the ADCs are not created at the earliest.
Seven new districts were created in addition to the existing nine in 2016. However, four of the hill districts among the seven new ones still do not have ADCs, he said, asking the Government if the ADCs are not created because people have not been demanding one.
It may be noted that the 7 new districts-Pherzawl, Kamjong, Noney, Tengnoupal, Jiribam, Kakching and Kangpokpi were created in 2016 by the then Congress Government.
Questioning why the Government has not created ADCs for the four hill districts while Kangpokpi has one, Simon asserted that Kangpokpi was given ADC in 1971 well before it was declared a full fledged district.
The schedule for elections to the 6 existing ADCs may be declared in March-April. In the meantime, ADCs should be created for the four districts  and their elections should be held simultaneously with that of the other existing ADCs.
If the elections are to be held only for the existing ADCs leaving behind the four districts, people along with the committee may launch stringent agitation and even boycott the elections, Simon said.
The Chief Minister had earlier given his assurance to fulfil the demand of the committee and as such, the Election authority should declare ADC elections for the four districts when it declares the elections of the six existing ADCs, he added.
A memorandum has also been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office regarding the demand, Simon said.
Recently, the committee had organised a peaceful procession in front of Adimjati Complex Chingmeirong demanding creation of the ADCs for the districts of Pherzawl, Kamjong, Noney and Tengnoupal.