Imphal, August 27 (NNN): The All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has demanded from the State government of Manipur to revoke the order of August 23, 2018, “vide No. 4/14/2017.Hills (Misc.)” with regard to constitution of a new Cabinet Sub-Committee to look into the functioning of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in respect of Senapati, Churachandpur and Tamenglong. According to ATRPFM, the Secretary of Tribal Affairs and Hills (TA & Hills), Government of Manipur issued an order on August 23, 2018 in pursuance of a decision of the State Cabinet to constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee to look into the functioning of the Autonomous District Councils. “By virtue of Item No. 2 of the Scheduled Matters in the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 under Article 371C of the Constitution, the constitution and power and functioning of district councils in hill areas are absolutely within the purview of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC),” said the ATRPFM, adding, “Thus, formation of a New Cabinet Sub-Committee to look into the functioning of Autonomous District Councils in respect of Senapati, Churachandpur and Tamenglong is arbitrary, bias and unconstitutional.” It affirmed that there is Hill Areas Committee (HAC) within Manipur Legislative Assembly to look after the ADCs, and that the Cabinet has no authority to interfere in functioning of ADCs in hill areas. “The Chairman and a member that appeared at Sl No. 3 of the Sub-Committee are non-tribals, and thus, they are not qualified to represent tribal people and have no authority to look after the ADCs,” it asserted. The Forum “strongly condemned” the alleged failure of tribal ministers and MLAs to perform their duties as mandated by Article 371C, Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 and the fifth schedule. “If the present ministers and MLAs of Manipur tribes do not know their powers and duties, they shall resign gracefully,” the ATRPFM said. In accordance with the provisions of Article 371C and Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972 read with the Vth Schedule to the Constitution, it requested the Governor and the Chief Minister to consider the above actions as “violations of the statutory and constitutional provisions and revoke the order dated 23.08.2018, vide No. 4/14/2017.Hills (Misc.), for the ends of justice.” ATRPFM cautioned that if the State government fails to revoke the same, “ATRPFM along with other tribal civil organisations would take our own course of action.”
