A politically placed source has claimed that Lhukhosei Zou, who was acquitted in the high-profile 2018 drug seizure case but remains a respondent in the State’s pending appeal against the acquittal, could be considered for the chairmanship of a proposed interim Administrative Committee of the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). However, no official proposal or confirmation of his possible appointment has emerged, and the claim remains unverified.
The reported possibility raises questions about the criteria the Manipur Government may adopt in selecting members and leadership for the proposed interim bodies, particularly as the State continues to face criticism over the prolonged delay in holding ADC elections.
Zou was acquitted by the Special Court on December 17, 2020. The State subsequently challenged the acquittal before the High Court of Manipur. According to the available case details, the criminal appeal remained pending, with a hearing listed for November 3, 2026. The pendency of the appeal does not establish guilt, and the acquittal remains legally significant unless set aside by a competent court.
The speculation comes as the government considers an interim administrative arrangement for the six ADCs, whose elected terms expired in 2020. The prolonged absence of elected councils has left a governance gap in the hill districts, while delays in restoring the councils have reportedly affected the utilisation of development funds.
The Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly recommended a temporary arrangement in its resolution adopted on October 14, 2024, proposing a 20-member committee for each ADC. In a subsequent resolution dated March 12, 2026, the HAC proposed increasing the strength to 26 members, including 24 former ADC members, local self-government experts, eminent persons or intellectuals, and two government nominees.
The HAC also cited Article 371C of the Constitution and relevant provisions governing the hill areas in support of its role in the process. However, the legal basis and procedure for constituting the proposed committees and selecting their chairpersons require clarity, particularly in light of the Gauhati High Court’s March 15, 2024 judgment setting aside a caretaker chairman’s appointment in the Ukhrul ADC.
While there is no verified basis at present to conclude that Zou is being formally considered for the proposed position, the claim highlights the importance of transparent selection criteria and public disclosure of the proposed administrative framework.
The government must clarify the legal basis of the proposed committees, the process for selecting their members and chairpersons, and the timeline for holding ADC elections. Any interim arrangement should remain consistent with the applicable law and should not become a substitute for restoring elected local governance.
Until an official position emerges, the reported possibility of Zou’s appointment remains political speculation rather than an established government decision. Nevertheless, the prolonged delay in ADC elections makes transparency in any interim arrangement essential to maintaining public confidence in the administration.