Imphal, April 12 2010: The All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) has today urged Chief Minister O Ibobi to defer the elections to the Autonomous District Councils which have been slated for the month of May.

A memorandum jointly signed by DP Panmei, former Minister and president AMTU and Romeo Bungdon, its general secretary said that the dates for conducting polls of ADCs be deferred as a measure to bridge difference in political ideology among different communities or ethnic groups of Manipur and enact amendments as mandatory.

The Manipur tribal body cautioned that if the elections proceed without honouring the tribals' interest amidst protests from various tribal organizations against the ADCs polls under the 3rd Amendment of ADC Act, 2008 then it shall be taken as direct suppression and infringement of the tribals' rights under Article 371 enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

It then warned that when the rights of people are dishonoured, the consequence will be social and political adversity followed by alienation and emotional disintegrity.

"As the matter cannot be treated as 'Donatio Mortis Causa' by over-ruling our tribal constitutional rights, this very 3rd Amendment is never a political milestone for anyone hence scheduled dates (two phases) for the elections need to be rescheduled so that certain amendment be enacted in favour of the tribal people of Manipur", said the tribal body.

At the moment the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur has imposed an economic blockade on NH-39 and NH-53 while a bandh against the ADC poll starts from midnight today.