14 civil bodies allege lapses in SIR exercise
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IMPHAL, May 31 : Amid growing concerns over illegal immigration, the 14 CSOs Kangleipak has stated that a mobile number not associated with any Booth Level Officer (BLO) was found attached to an enumeration form being used for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Manipur.
Addressing the media at the office of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) at Keishamthong today, Shanta Nahakpam, convenor of 14 CSOs Kangleipak, urged the District Election Officers (DEOs) concerned to rectify the alleged lapse at the earliest, warning that failure to do so could lead to legal complications.
Saying that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have begun distributing enumeration forms through house-to-house visits since yesterday, he added that an unofficial mobile number not associated with any BLO or Block Level Agent (BLA), however, was found in the form.
Shanta also claimed that some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the SIR exercise were not recognised by local residents.
Urging the Government to carry out the exercise in a transparent manner without any political motive, he sought the intervention of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and DEOs concerned into the matter.
He asked whether the SIR exercise in the hill districts would be implemented in a proper manner if the exercise in the valley districts is carried out in a doubtful way.
Shanta cautioned that civil society organisations may boycott the exercise if the alleged lapse is not rectified.
Regarding the constitution of a high-level committee on demographic changes by the Government of India, Shanta urged the State Government to include a member familiar with Manipur in the committee.
He, however, said that they do not see the State Government working to include a member of its choice in the committee other than expressing gratitude to the Centre.
Shanta stated that they do not want either the SIR exercise or the constitution of a high-level committee to study demographic changes, as their demand is the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the commencement of the Census operations.
However, if the Government is committed to carrying out the SIR exercise, it should be conducted in a transparent manner, he urged.
Addressing the media at the office of the International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) at Keishamthong today, Shanta Nahakpam, convenor of 14 CSOs Kangleipak, urged the District Election Officers (DEOs) concerned to rectify the alleged lapse at the earliest, warning that failure to do so could lead to legal complications.
Saying that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have begun distributing enumeration forms through house-to-house visits since yesterday, he added that an unofficial mobile number not associated with any BLO or Block Level Agent (BLA), however, was found in the form.
Shanta also claimed that some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the SIR exercise were not recognised by local residents.
Urging the Government to carry out the exercise in a transparent manner without any political motive, he sought the intervention of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and DEOs concerned into the matter.
He asked whether the SIR exercise in the hill districts would be implemented in a proper manner if the exercise in the valley districts is carried out in a doubtful way.
Shanta cautioned that civil society organisations may boycott the exercise if the alleged lapse is not rectified.
Regarding the constitution of a high-level committee on demographic changes by the Government of India, Shanta urged the State Government to include a member familiar with Manipur in the committee.
He, however, said that they do not see the State Government working to include a member of its choice in the committee other than expressing gratitude to the Centre.
Shanta stated that they do not want either the SIR exercise or the constitution of a high-level committee to study demographic changes, as their demand is the updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur before the commencement of the Census operations.
However, if the Government is committed to carrying out the SIR exercise, it should be conducted in a transparent manner, he urged.