IT News
Imphal, Jan 13:
The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), General Headquarters, has extended a warm welcome to Ajay Kumar Bhalla on his appointment as the new Governor of Manipur. The council emphasized the critical role of the Governor, as per Article 371C of the Indian Constitution, as the custodian of constitutional provisions and developmental safeguards for the tribals of Manipur.
Highlighting long-standing grievances, TYCM drew attention to the neglect of recruitment and development activities in key tribal institutions, including the Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes (MSCST), and Tribal Research Institute (TRI). They argued that this neglect contradicts the state government’s slogan of “Equal Development for both the Valley and the Hills.”
The council criticized the State Government’s failure to conduct elections for the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), mandated under Section 13 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act, 1971. The elections, due since 2020, have not been held for over four years. TYCM described this delay as a denial of democratic rights and suppression of grassroots Local Self-Government in the hill tribal areas, violating both the Indian Constitution and the District Councils Act.
The non-functioning of the ADCs, the council stated, has led to a significant loss of development opportunities and the abandonment of tribal welfare schemes. This gap, they said, would negatively impact future generations and perpetuate disparities between the hills and the valley.
TYCM also pointed out the contradiction in the government’s ability to conduct the 18th Lok Sabha General Elections amidst the ethnic crisis in Manipur, while failing to organize ADC elections. They argued that this discrepancy demonstrates an intentional suppression of the tribal population.
Expressing optimism about Ajay Kumar Bhalla’s tenure, the council urged the new Governor to take immediate steps to restore grassroots governance by ensuring the early conduct of ADC elections. They also appealed to him to address the pressing challenges faced by Manipur’s tribal communities, ensuring fairness and justice in the state’s development framework.
