Manipur bandh called by hill parties

Imphal | November 19 : The People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), Manipur , a political party in Manipur hills has announced to call a 24-hour Manipur hill districts bandh on November 27 while Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) has called a 24-hour 'chakka bandh along the National High-39 on the same day. However, both the orgaisations are calling bandhs for different reasons. The PDA alleged that the hill people have been meted out step motherly treatment while the SDSA said that the state government continues to ignore the condition of the NH-39.
"The PDA implores the people of the state with a clarion call for support to the hill districts’ 24-hour bandh on November 27 which will begin from the midnight of November 26 in protest against the state apathy towards the well being of the hill people. The PDA’s dead-line October 20, 2009 has expired without any response from the state Government," said the political party.
It said that demand for amendment of the Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Area) Act, 1956, framing of rules under Manipur Reservation in posts & services ( for SC/ST) Act, enactment of Land Law, framing laws for protection of natural resources exclusively for the hill district of Manipur, non-development of IRB/Commandos and VDF in the hill districts and additional recruitment of VDF in the hill areas, deserve excellent consideration on the part of the state government in view of the present scenario in Manipur. The aged old state apathy has become the bone of contention ever since the dawn of statehood in 1972, the PDA stated.
"The People’s Democratic Alliance of Manipur said that it is a regional political party in Manipur state with firm commitment to protect the lands, forest and natural resources of the hill people, ensures democratic rights of the people, preserves the identities of the marginal nationalities with due respect to their aspirations and to facilitate the fulfillment of the same, like the Naga Unification and that of other indigenous people, introduce land laws reforms in the hill areas as to face the changing time by tribal people themselves without extending the Manipur Land Reforms and Land Records Act, 1960 and preserve customary laws and practices. Emergence of regionalism is a healthy and constructive force to protect local interest with dialectical response, to bring about a transparent socio-economic development. PDA is concerned on the social inequity between the advanced majority sections of the society and the backward hill people, negligence relating to road & transport, health services, electricity, water supply, education, agriculture, sports and culture. The fund flow from the Tribal Affairs Ministry under Article 275(I) of the Indian Constitution, the delimitation to increase 4(four) Assembly Seats in Manipur in the hill areas as per 2001 Census and the reservation system need effective implementation with strong political with of e- governance," asserted the PDA in a statement.
The PDA further said that it will strive for equitable economic development, social harmony and brotherhood based on liberty, justice and equality.