Imphal, September 28: Setting yet another deadline to fulfil its demand, the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee has warned that intense agitation of various sorts including both democratic and violent, will be launched in case the Government fails to take up some concrete steps within 15 days.

An unanimous decision to this effect was adopted during a public meeting convened today at Thomas ground, Kangpokpi under the aegis of the SHDDC.

The meeting arrived at this decision after deliberating at length on the 33 year old demand of the people to upgrade Sadar Hills into a full fledged revenue district in their pursuit for development.

Among others, the meeting was participated by representatives of different villages under Sadar Hills area, KSO, Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Kuki Inpi and the Kuki Women Union.

The meeting strongly condemned the alleged attempt of the Government to deny the long standing demand of the people by resorting to 'divide and rule policy' among different communities of Sadar Hills area.

In case the Government fails to convene a meeting with the SHDDC and take up some concrete steps towards declaring Sadar Hills a full fledged revenue district within 15 days, intense agitation of all sorts will be launched from the next day, resolved the meeting.

It also condemned the alleged attempt of some communal social organisations to project the issue of Sadar Hills in the wrong light.

Installation of Panchayati Raj institution in Sadar Hills area was also strongly objected by the meeting.

Giving key note address of the meeting, SHDDC general secretary Thangjam Misao lamented that despite numerous democratic movements undertaken for the last many years, the Government is still refusing to upgrade Sadar Hills to a full fledged revenue district.

He appealed to the people gathered there to suggest for the future course of agitation.

Addressing the meeting, former Minister Ngamthang Haokip flayed the reluctance of Chief Minister O Ibobi to grant district status to Sadar Hills who is reportedly preoccupied about the possible reactions when the people's demand is granted.

He clarified that what the SHDDC has been demanding is neither Kuki homeland nor independence.

The demand is purely for administrative convenience and to accelerate development pace, Ngamthang stated.

Observing that holding Panchayat elections in Sadar Hills is under an order of High Court, Ngamthang opined that it would be more prudent to find out those responsible for the Court order and to seek an amicable solution.

Recalling that many have been killed, many others injured while several others were imprisoned in their pursuit of the decades old demand for district status to Sadar Hills, MLA Doukhomang Khongsai wanted to know the apprehensions of the Chief Minister against converting Sadar Hills into a revenue district.

Exhorting the people to go after their demand until it is fulfilled, Doukhomang assured all full cooperation from his side.

Expressing strong exception to the refusal of the Govt to allot separate DC and SP for Sadar Hills, MLA Haokholet Kipgen questioned the alleged unwillingness of the Govt to bring development in Sadar Hills.

Conveying solidarity to the movement of the SHDDC, he also pledged all possible help.

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