Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 10 2009:
The Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) has started launching agitation Friday demanding decentralization of power to the hill districts of Manipur and for holding of early elections regarding the autonomous district councils to enhance grass root democracy in the state.
On the first day of the agitation, members of the IDF have conducted campaign of sticking black badges to the government employees and students located at districts headquarters of five hill districts.
The campaign is a part of IDF's mass agitation throughout state pressing the government for speedy response to their demands which have been held up for the last 20 years or so.
The non-holding of the elections has deprived the democratic rights of the hill people as no democratic system of self governance based on indigenous democracy which best benefits the indigenous people of Manipur is not functioning in the hill districts, the body considered.
If the State Government fails to respond appropriately, stronger form of agitation, the form of agitation will be change.
But for the time being the same is made known.
Nevertheless, nine months have elapsed since the Manipur assembly passed the Manipur District Council Amendment Bill 2008.However, state government has terribly failed to initiate holding of election despite pressure from the Centre, the body alleged.
Reports from Tamenglong district said that members of the IDF today went from office to office and in the general areas as well and stick black badges to the employees and people.
The same campaign was reported from Churachandpur and Senapati district too.