New districts demand separate ADCs ATSUM calls 24 hrs bandh on March 12

IMPHAL, Mar 7
Denouncing the inordinate delay in holding elections to the Autonomous District Councils, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM)  has announced 24 hours total bandh on March 12  in the entire hill districts of the State.
On the other hand, the Demand Committee on Creation of Autonomous District Councils (DCCADCs) of four newly created hill districts - Kamjong, Noney, Tengnou-pal and Pherzawl, has appealed to the people of Manipur, specially the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to support the demand of the four hill districts to have its own local self Government.
In a statement, ATSUM warned that an indefinite economic blockade would be imposed after the expiry of the 24 hours bandh if the State Government fails to issue the election notification by March 11, 2021.
The tribal populace has been relentlessly striving for timely installation of the Autonomous District Councils since the last 6-7 months and the matter was consistently apprised to the Governor, Hill Areas Committee and State the Government via memorandum, press communiqué and official discourses. However, the voice of the tribal people remains unheard till today despite HAC resolution/recommendation and an agreement signed between the State Government and ATSUM for timely ADC election, ATSUM rued.
Appealing to the general public, transporters and work agencies executing projects to extend solidarity to the proposed 24 hours total bandh and indefinite economic blockade, the statement added that the total bandh and indefinite economic blockade will incorporate halting of the on-going National and State projects in the hills.
Essential services such as medical, media, water supply and religious activities will be exempted from the purview of the proposed bandh, ATSUM reminded and further appealed to district apex organisations, frontal organisations of various tribes and Church leaders to extend moral, logistic and prayer support for the success of the proposed bandh.
On the other hand, the Demand Committee on Creation of Autonomous District Councils (DCCADCs) of four newly created hill districts- Kamjong, Noney, Teng-noupal and Pherzawl, has appealed to the people of Manipur , specially the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to support the demand of the four hill districts to have its own local self Government.
A press release issued by Simon Kamei, convenor DCCADCs said that the people of the newly created hill districts are still deprived of their Constitutional and political rights.
Further, the convenor appealed to ATSUM who have been fighting to protect the rights and interest of tribal people to refrain from taking 'lopsided' decisions against the wishes  of the people of  Kamjong, Noney, Tengnoupal and Pherzawl districts.
Saying that DCCADCs are not against holding of ADC elections but will not support the demand of ATSUM  unless ADCs for the new hill districts are created, Simon asserted that the demand committee will continue to fight till  their 'legitimate' demand is achieved.
The convenor further urged the State Government to look into the issue with all seriousness.