Manipur Govt Needs to Win Back Hearts of the Hill People to Save Manipur, Says Tribal Leader

In a free and frank talk with Mizoram Express’ Churachandpur team member TIMOTHY Z. ZOTE, Manipur Tribal Council president H K JOUTE says that the answers to Manipur’s integration lies in non-discriminated all round development of the hill areas.
What is Manipur Tribal Council’s stand on the District Council elections in Manipur?
Willy-nilly decision and delaying tactics played by the Government of Manipur spoils the process and the flow of the District Council elections. Had the election been held a bit earlier by at least two to three months earlier nothing of the problem we are facing now may crop up. Now that the government is firm on conducting elections by all means as no objection has come. Had objection been raised a bit earlier by ANSAM and ATSUM, the crisis could have been avoided.
On ANSAM and ATSUM demand for 6th Scheduled status in the hills?
By holding election and having MDC elected I though the members elected would try and fight for Act. But the way the District Council election is pulled shows seeds of fissiparous tendencies even at the start. I find now that my expectations are going to be a cry for the moon. Now, ANSAM and ATSUM demand for 6th Scheduled Status is more relevant, more so as to protect and uplift the Hill Tribal people against continuous deprivation.
Some organisations say that if there are 6th Scheduled District Councils it will mark the beginning of disintegration of Manipur. What’s your take on this?
We all know very well, even people with whom we never dwell together and in far off places and regions as far as or even farther than two to 3000 km away have understood that we the tribal people in North East India are need attention and special care. The sad part is people with whom we’re living do not want to understand our needs.
Knowing the conditions of tribals living in Assam at the start of the functioning of Indian Constitution Sixth scheduled District council provisions was created to protect them. However, the tribals in all north eastern states are still not happy as the state governments do not want to share powers. For instance at one point of time Manipur was at least 20 to 30 years ahead of Mizoram in terms of development but now it’s the reverse. Why this? It’s because successive Manipur governments have paid no heed to the development of the hills. Jiri-Tipaimukh Road has not been even half done and Barak Bridge at Tipaimukh to be constructed 10 years ago is still not built. These are only just few examples.
In such position can we say that we can nicely maintain Manipur integrity? Manipur’s territorial integrity does not depend on the existence or absence of the Sixth Scheduled District Councils. Manipur as a state will remain intact only if the happiness and the satisfaction of the people are assured by the State government.

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