KMHR calls for end to blockade
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 16 2011:
Taking due note of the ongoing blockades and the resultant hardships being endured by the general public, the Kuki Movement for Human Rights (KMHR) has appealed to all concerned to end the blockade.
Denial of posting a Deputy Commissioner and a Superintendent of Police which enraged the people of Sadar Hills who, in turn, have been resorting to strikes and economic blockades must not be taken as an advantage of those shouting for disintegration of the State.
Manipur State had recommended six hill districts for the State with clear demarcation of boundaries, and the Parliament of India had approved the six hill districts in 1971 .
Of the six hill districts, it is only Sadar Hills which has been denied a DC and an SP of its own till date, the KMHR noted in a press release.
Had a DC and an SP been provided for Sadar Hills, strikes and blockades as witnessed presently could have been avoided.
"There is no Act which says that Sadar Hills is not a full fledged district.
It is a full fledged district in practice", the KMHR asserted.
Even the Union Home Minister, after perusing the Act of Parliament of 1971, had called upon the Chief Minister of Manipur.
Both the Union Home Minister and the Chief Minister have assured that Sadar Hills district delegates that the issue was an old one and that Sadar Hills would be upgraded as a full fledged district.
The Chief Minister has also announced that the demand for Sadar Hills district would be fulfilled in a time bound manner.
Former Chief Minister and present Rajya Sabha Member Rishang Keishing has also endorsed the demand for Sadar Hills district.
However Rishang Keishing defied the Parliament Act of 1971 by stating that some areas of Sadar Hills should be given back to some adjoining hill districts.
Stating that the whole geographical area of Manipur is owned by the State, the KMHR maintained that any idea of re-demarcating boundaries of the existing districts at this point may lead to communal tension and end up with disintegration of the State.
While urging upon MP Rishang Keishing to withdraw his statement, the KMHR demanded immediate implementation of the Parliament Act of 1971.It further appealed to all responsible persons and Governments to take immediate actions to lift the economic blockades for the sake of all people in Manipur, and to protect the rights of both the State Government and citizens.