Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 28:
In pursuit of its long standing demand to grant full fledged revenue district status to Sadar Hills, the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee has geared up for a continuous round of agitation.
After a meeting with the Chief Minister on their demand yesterday, the SHDDC is waiting for the Chief Minister to fix a date for the second round of talk.
In case, no understanding could be arrived on creation of Sadar Hills district during the next round of talk with the Chief Minister, the SHDDC has decided not to talk with the Chief Minister at any other place ever again except in the DC office of Sadar Hills district which is yet to be created.
Moreover, the Committee will launch persistent agitation in district level as well as in the State level, said SHDDC secretary Thangkam Misao.
"What we are demanding is not sovereignty but just a district for administrative convenience and to facilitate development of the area" Thangkam said.
He further maintained that no other district should be created until and unless Sadar Hills is upgraded to the status of a revenue district.
In the course of the agitation launched since 1974, many strikes, bandhs, economic blockades were imposed besides taking out processions, demonstrations etc on numerous occasions.
During the course of the agitation over the years, one agitator was killed, one died in road mishap, 87 people were imprisoned and many others sustained injuries.
However, the SHDDC never took recourse to destructive activities like torching Government institutions.
Quoting statements of previous Chief Ministers, Thangkam observed that upgrading Sadar Hills into a revenue district will not cost much as most of the necessary Government Departments and offices and other requisite infrastructure are already existing in Sadar Hills.
Recalling of the numerous MoUs signed with the State Government on creating Sadar Hills district and the approval granted by the State Cabinet, he noted that the State Government's approval was pronounced by the Governor during his address in the State Assembly.
Peeved with the failure of the State Government to implement its own stance that Sadar Hills deserves to be upgraded to a district, the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee demanded a clear explanation about the inordinate delay and the practical difficulties, if there is any, in upgrading Sadar Hills to a full fledged revenue district.