Tribal committee to boycott PM, Sonia's visit
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2011:
A joint meeting of tribal organisations, social workers, political leaders, village chiefs and student bodies held today at Imphal under the aegis of Tribal Joint Action Committee on Delimitation (TJACD) unanimously resolved to boycott the visit of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi to Manipur on December 3, claimed a Committee statement issued by its coconvenor Thangjamang.
Alleging that the Congress Government in the State as well as the Centre have been denying constitutional rights and privileges of the tribals in the State, the Committee statement pointed out that based on a writ petition filed by the All Political Parties Manipur, the Delimitation of assembly constituencies in Manipur was put in abeyance consequent to a ruling (January 19, 2007) by the Imphal Bench of Gauhati High Court.
However, the Supreme Court on July 13, 2007 impugned the lower court order consequently paving the way for resuming the delimitation exercise in respect of Manipur, the Committee recounted and described the Supreme Court decree as a defeat for the Govt of Manipur and the All Political Parties Manipur.
Inspite of the Supreme Court order, All Political parties Manipur convened a special single sitting of the Assembly on July 30, 2007 that resulted in the proclamation of ordinance with regard to the Delimitation issue inspite of walk out staged by 10 MLAs.
Despite strong opposition to the ordinance and walk out by the 10 MLAs remaining members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly succeeded in their endeavour which is nothing short of sectarian politics and violation of constitutional provision, explained Thangjamang.
Pointing out that the Constitution of India envisages protection of the interest of SC/ST in different spheres of governmental activity including Delimitation, the co-convenor said such denial of rights of the tribal people at the whims and fancies of the majority community amounts to violation of the Constitution.
Taking into account such a political hegemony and to protest sectarian politics, the joint meeting resolved to boycott visit of the Prime Minister and the AICC chief.