Imphal, July 06: Taking strong exception against the non representation of Chandel district in the new Ministry after the downsizing exercise was effected, a number of prominent organizations of the district have started mobilizing people's opinion and a mass movement may soon be launched.

Chandel's lone MLA in the SPF, DK Korungthang was among the 19 Ministers dropped in the downsizing exercise and this has not gone down well with the people of this district.

Decrying the 'discriminatory' attitude of the Chief Minister, the Maring Uparup Assembly and Maring Students' Union said that the absence of any MLA from Chandel in the pruned Ministry is a direct affront to the people of the district.

The presidents of the Maring Uparup and Maring Students Union categorically stated that leaving Chandel out in the Council of Ministry defies logic as it is the district which borders Myanmar (Moreh), and a number of communities reside there.

Moreover Chandel is amongst the most backward districts in the State and hence leaving out the representative from this district in the Ministry is akin to neglecting the aspirations of the people.

Chandel district also plays an important economic role of the State; they said maintaining that the Indo-Myanmar trade offers a source of livelihood to a number of people and added that the Moreh-Imphal route is one important lifeline of the State.

Hence neglecting this district should not be overlooked, they reasoned.

The community leaders further said that the law and order situation in Chandel is volatile and more over it is home to a number of communities.

Dropping the lone Minister from this district is an insult to the people, they maintained.

The leaders further said that Imphal East has three Ministers, Imphal West two and one MP, Bishnupur two Ministers, Senapati two Ministers and one MP.

In such a situation it is not fair that Chandel should have no representative in the Ministry, they reasoned.

A Minister from this district will work to the advantage of all as the Minister is there to work out any solution whenever any crisis erupts in Chandel, which is a volatile district.

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