Manipur’s anti-tribal government

Through your esteemed paper, I wish to share some few thoughts in regard to the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act and Amendment 2008 and its repercussion to the Tribal community in Manipur.
That, after much pressure from the Center Government and repeated demands voiced by the Tribals, the State Government finally lifted the iron curtain laid over the Hill Districts of Manipur. Consequently, the Manipur District Council election schedule was announced recently for the Hill districts of Manipur, with it the present SPF led State Government under the leadership of CM O.Ibobi Singh seems to have found a solace in gratifying the Tribal people. But are the Tribal really excited and benefitted with the long delayed MDC Election?
Minutely studying the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act (third amendment) 2008, we can note those deceiving and discriminative acts such as: - *Section 29(i) ClauseXIII *Section 29(1) Clause XIV *Section 29(2) (a) *Section 29(2)(b) * Section 46(3) *Section 47 and others. Again, It is to bring kind notice of the Tribal people that, the Order of Warrant of Precedent dated Imphal, 6th February, 2010 issued by the Government of Manipur, clearly defines the horrific example of repressive and bais authority of the Valley based Administrations over the Tribal people. Here, the Adhyaksha of Zilla Parishad or Up Adhyaksha or the Deputy Commissioner are placed higher even before the Chairman of the District Council. Then, Hon’ble CM, what is the meaning of grass root level administration? Again, when CM O.Ibobi can recruit thousands of IRBs, Commandos,VDFs and Govt.Services just from his Thoubal constituency alone, why is he playing a ‘sabotage-trick’ against the whole tribal rights of those ADC primary teacher’s recuritment candidates?
I represent one such discontent tribal educated youth who has no intention to condemn the Act and the election but compelled by the fact that, the discriminative Act of 1972 and Amendment of the Act 2008 mentioned above represents a ‘Mockery and Deprivation’ of the Tribal Rights by the present State Government. Moreover, the Act completely denies the genuine demands and rights of the Tribal people as it is purely to exploit the Tribals politically and financially through the money/power hungry valley based State Government. Thanks to the CM I. Ibobi Singh led Congress Government for passing the bill in the Manipur Assembly tacticfully through the self appointed Select Committee rather than Hill Areas Committee (HAC) which is empowered with responsibilities for administration in the welfare of the Tribal in Manipur under Article 371-C of the Indian constitution.
The Tribal elected MLAs including the HAC Chairman, TD Minister, Tribal Ministers must therefore resign on moral ground for betraying the faith and trust of the Tribal people in Manipur. All your complacency and hand in glove with the State Government cannot be compromised with the Tribal Rights and Determination. Remember, you are all elected to benefit your people and also open your mouth in the Manipur Assembly and not cry over the Bill passed against the interest of the Tribal people.
The present State Government thus can be clearly defined as ‘Anti-Tribal Government’ by its malicious intentions projected in the 1972 Act and its Amendment 2008. When the Municipalities in the Imphal Valley can flourish politically and financially for the past many years now, why does the present State Government still deny the rights and wishes of the Tribal people?
Peter Dave
New Hope Colony,
Senapati District H/Q