Manipuri bodies demand reconstitution of MDC
Special correspondent
SILCHAR, Feb 16: Different Manipuri bodies which include All Assam Manipuri Youth Association (AAMYA), All Assam Manipuri Students’ Union (AAMSU), Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam, (MSPA) and Manipuri tiol Council (MNC) in a joint press-meet held in the premises of Silchar Press Club today reasserted reconstitution of Manipuri Development Council (MDC). K Bidhyapati Sngha, executive member of MSPA, struck at the very root of the formation of the Council by the Government of Assam in a haphazard manner. According to him, no solid criteria or norms for nomition or selection of members have been laid down.
There have been surreptitious moves in changing mes and files every moment in the Secretariat, K Bidhyapati Sngha alleged, before the fil decision. Important Manipuri social organizations were not consulted or kept informed which has hurt the sentiments of the people of the community. Moreover, it was not constituted in a democratic way and the people were fed with misleading facts about it. As a result of which, Seram Herajit Singha, general secretary of AAMSU, said social complications cropped up. He targeted United Manipuri Association, Assam (UMAA), which is being run and maged at the whims and wishes of the chairman Jiten Singha.
In the functioning of MDC, Seram Herajit Singha said UMAA members became more active than the Council members, some of whom came to associate themselves with the body. There was no respect for dissent in the Council. Rather, it was suppressed. People of the community were confused between the identity of UMAA and MDC. He further alleged the rampant protest all over the state never saw the light of the day. There has been no transparency and accountability in the magement of funds, he pointed out.
People of the community often came out with their protests against the arbitrary style of functioning of Jiten Singha and MDC. But, it was mistaken for expression of envy which Herajit Singha clarified should not be taken as lack of unity in the community. Singhajit Singha, general secretary of MNC, urged upon the Government of Assam to take note of the resentment of people and their will in the formation of the Council in consultation with the key organizations of Manipuri society. He cautioned if the formation of the Council is done arbitrarily as in the beginning, it will have its impact on the ensuing assembly elections.
Dr H Rajmani Singha, general secretary of MSPA, has reached out to all the contenders who rush to Dispur for lobbying to join hands with all the Manipuri bodies to arrive at a consensus decision in the formation of the next Council. He also sends the message not to get involved in political games which will only harm the overall interest of the Manipuris living in Assam. He has demanded immediate dissolution of the present body of MDC and reformation of the next body in official consultation with the active Manipuri civil organizations. Dr. H Rajmani Singha has cautioned if this does not happen, Manipuri organizations will have no altertive than to go for agitation and movement.