Conflicting response from hills on ADC polls CCpur embraces ADC poll notification

S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Apr 27: Notwith-standing the opposition from some quarters of the State, the southern district of Churachand-pur has presented a collective opinion over the official noti-fication of the first phase of the ADC poll issued yesterday and warmly welcomed the announce-ment.
'It's time the (would be) elected MDCs fight for the desired Schedule of the Constitution,' P Simte, former President of KSO General Headquarters said today while adding that he personally welcome the poll notification.
The president of the Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Khaipao Haokip was much ahead on the issue as he promptly chose to refrain from commenting on the ground that he had already decided to be in the fray for one of the MDC seats. 'It will not be fair for me to comment now as I have already decided to contest the poll,' he said, in an evident indication of his undoubted endorsement.
A prominent hill based journalist, and editor of Manipur Express daily, L Chinkhanlian repeated the collective line saying, 'the sole political institution for the State tribals needs to be reinstated in any circumstances.'
'It is true, the present form of ADC is toothless, I have no doubt on this, but the losses without it should it even be in a nominal form are immense,' he said.
The organization spearheading the demand for ADC poll and an outspoken pro-poll alliance, the MTC said with a matter of relief, they appreciate the development.
'Finally our sweat and toil have been acknowledged by the State Government. We were ecstatic over the issuance of the election notification, grateful to all the people who advised and advocated our stand,' Pauzalal, the council's secretary said when asked for his comment.
'We all know about the powers and functions of the ADC in the present form. None of us (tribals) have raised any objection in sync with the development. We were already on track. So, it is for the elected MDCs to do what needs to be done,' he asserted.
An aspirant and a Congress ticket contender himself, Pauzalal said that any of his fellow contenders who are merely after the MDC seat should be rejected by the voters. (TSE)