Manipur's Tribal Committee calls for shutdown to protest district council polls

Imphal, Apr 25 (ANI): The Manipur Tribal Joint Action Committee on Sunday called for a 24-hour shutdown in all hill districts of the states from midnight in protest against the State Government's proposal to hold elections to autonomous district councils.

In a statement issued here, the committee said it will intensify the fight against holding elections to the district council under the new Act.

Recently, the Manipur Government adopted the new District Council Act.

Alleging that the present Manipur District Council Act did not give enough monetary power to District Councils.

Manipur has District Councill in-Ukhrul, Chandel, Tamenglong, Senapati and Churachandpur districts.

The committee threatened to launch other forms of agitation if the State Government decides to go ahead with election process.

With the same demand, the All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) has also launched its protests since Saturday.

The ANSAM has begun an indefinite economic blockade from Saturday along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway 39 and Imphal-Jiribam National Highway 53. (ANI)