Denial of justice: Manipur body calls for 48-hour bandh in hill districts

Imphal (Manipur), September 12, 2018:

The All Tribal Rights’ Protection, Manipur (ATRPFM) has called for a 48-hour “total shutdown” in all hill districts of Manipur with effect from 6am of September 14 in protest against the state government’s denial of justice sought by the forum.

The forum condemned the formation of a Cabinet Sub-Committee by the government to look after the functioning of Tamenglong, Senapati and Churachandpur Autonomous District Councils without referring the cases to the Hill Areas Council.

ATRPFM general secretary, James Haokip, said “One Minister cannot bypass the power and functions of another Minister. But, the Chief Minister had made PWD Minister as Chairman of the said committee which contravened all the ethical norms of Ministers.”

He asserted that since the ADCs of Tamenglong and Senapati were sub-judice in the High Court of Manipur, the constitution of such a committee was not necessary at all and the matter of crises in Tamenglong ADC had been settled by the court itself.

He also said the forum had sought justice on the issue by way of an ultimatum to the government and HAC, but the government denied.