Can't remain deprived, suppressed for long: ADC members of Manipur

Members of Manipur's six autonomous district councils Friday staged a protest at Jantar Mantar here demanding that provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian constitution be extended to the tribal areas of the northeastern state.

"We are peacefully protesting here as we want to let the central government hear our demand," Mangchinkup, executive member of the Autonomous District Councils Committee (ADCC), told IANS.

"The Sixth Schedule can provide financial powers, legislative powers where tribal people can administer their subjects as per their customs and tradition. We will be also able to protect our land.

"Our main objective is unity and development. We can't remain deprived and suppressed for long," he added.

There are six Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur -- Churachandpur, Chandel, Sadar Hills, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong -- that were set up in 1973.

However, due to non-devolution of powers and functions, the ADC elections were not held since 1989 to press for the demand for extension of the provisions of the Sixth Scheduled Provisions of the Indian Constitution to these ADCs.

The ADCs were subsequently revived and elections were held in 2010, with a renewed hope.

"But even after four years, there is no change and we continue to be denied our rightful powers," Mangchinkup said.