Members of the Autonomous District Councils (ADC) Manipur today staged a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi demanding extension of the 6th scheduled provided under the Constitution of India. The protest also drew the attention of both the State and Central government against the denial of the rights and power of the ADC member which is being provided under the Manipur(Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971’.In 2010 election to ADCs were held under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, Third(3rd) Amendment Act 2008.A press statement said – The existing 6(six) Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur i.e.( 1) Churachandpur ( 2) Chandel (3) Sadar Hills (4) Senapati (5) Ukhrul and (6) Tamenglong were installed in the year 1973 in pursuance of the North Eastern Reorganization Act, 1971 and later passed as Parliamentary Act called ‘The Manipur(Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971’.However, due to non devolution of the powers and functions under the said Acts and Rules the ADC Elections was withheld since 1989 in demand for extending the provisions of the Sixth Scheduled Provision of the Indian Constitution to these ADCs.Three successive state governments in the State had adopted resolutions for 6th schedule implementation based on the recommendation of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) Manipur. However, the issue was kept in abeyance by the State Government despite repeated reminders by the Centre Government.After 20 years, the ADCs were revived and elections were held in 2010, with a renewed hope under the Manipur(Hill Areas) District Council, Third(3rd) Amendment Act, 2008 . But to our utter dismay even as we complete four years we see no change and are denied of powers bestowed under the said Act. According to the new Act, there were 26 (twenty six) subjects enlisted under Section 29 in sub-section (1) of the principal Act.It further said that the Hill Areas of Manipur is the only Tribal Areas in North East India which is ignored, unattended and unjustly left out from extension of the Sixth Schedule Provision of the Constitution of India, whereas , all other Tribal Areas in the whole of the North Eastern State such as Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura were under 6th scheduled Provision to safeguard the interest, customs and culture of the tribal.
