Manipur ADC Members Demand Extension of Sixth Schedule in Tribal Areas

New Delhi, 02 Sep 2014: A group of Members of District Councils from Manipur has recently arrived in the capital to organize a demonstration advocating for the extension of the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the tribal areas of Manipur. This demonstration is set to take place at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on September 5.

According to a press release issued on Tuesday, the six existing Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur—namely Churachandpur, Chandel, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Ukhrul, and Tamenglong—were established in 1973 in accordance with the North Eastern Reorganization Act, 1971, which was later enacted as ‘The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971’. However, after functioning for approximately 16 years, these councils were stripped of their powers and functions as outlined in the Acts and Rules.

The elections for the Members of the District Council were boycotted starting in 1989 due to demands for the extension of the Sixth Schedule provisions of the Indian Constitution to all six ADCs. In 2010, elections were held under the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, Third Amendment Act 2008. Since then, the elected members have been working diligently, hoping that the aspirations of the tribal people would finally be realized after two decades without local self-governance.

Unfortunately, even after four years, the condition of the ADCs remains disappointing, rendering them virtually meaningless as autonomous entities. Under the 2008 Act, 26 subjects were listed under Section 29, sub-section (1) of the principal Act, but more than half of these subjects have not been devolved as promised by the government. Furthermore, no corresponding rules regarding finance, powers, and functions have been established to date.

Having experienced the insincerity of the Government of Manipur, the representatives have decided to persistently pursue their demand for the extension of the Sixth Schedule. They point out that all tribal areas in the northeastern states—such as Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, and Tripura—have been granted the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to safeguard the interests, customs, and cultures of the tribal populations. In contrast, the hill areas of Manipur remain unattended and unjustly excluded from these provisions.

“The demand for the implementation of the Sixth Schedule provisions in the hill areas of Manipur is not a new issue, but rather a pending solution for over four decades. Three successive state governments have adopted resolutions for its implementation based on the recommendations of the Hill Areas Committee (HAC). We have also consistently pursued this matter with various central leaders,” stated the press release.

Despite these efforts, there has been no progress or initiative from either the state or central government. Therefore, the representatives of the Autonomous District Councils are holding peaceful demonstrations to express their grievances over the indifference of both governments toward the plight of the hill tribal people.

The current situation in the hills of Manipur can be attributed to the absence of local self-government. The ADC members believe that strengthening this fundamental aspect of democracy will enhance the nation and promote national integration.

~ Bruce K. Thangkhal
(The Mizoram Post | The Northeast Today | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today)

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