SANPO alleges forced inclusion of tribal villages in Panchayat
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, September 10 2012:
The Saikul Area Naga Peoples' Organisation (SANPO) has expressed unhappiness over the attitude of the state government where some tribal villages are 'forcibly' made to participate in the Panchayati Raj election against the desire of the villages concern.
According to SANPO, villages such as Irong Part - I, Irong Part - II, Somrei, Soraland, Tanghul Klullen, Komlaching, Lungthar, Heinganglok and Kharan are forced to participate in the Panchayat election due on September 13 .
"The above villages are within the jurisdiction of Bongal Khullen Autonomous District Council (ADC) constituency under Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council.
Further, the villagers had fully exercised their franchise during the last ADC election.
The inclusion of the above villages both in the ADC election and Panchayati Raj election is nothing but an evil design to annex tribal land for inclusion in the valley districts," alleged SANPO today.
The Saikul area Naga body then stated that it is deadly against the inclusion of the said villages in the Panchayati Raj election.
The SANPO also appeals the authority concerned to immediately cancel the election process and electoral list of the said villages in the Panchayati Raj election immediately so as to bring justice and meet the wills and desires of the villages.