Shutdown In Manipur Over Demand For More Autonomy To Hill Districts
NDTV
All Tribals Students' Union Manipur starts 24-hour protest as government did not table Bill for autonomy as drafted by Hill Areas Committee last year
A student organisation started a 24-hour shutdown in Manipur from 6pm today, protesting the BJP government not acting on a demand for more autonomy for the state's tribal-dominated hilly areas.
The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) started the protest as the government did not table the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council Bill 2021 as demanded, in the ongoing assembly session. There were two other Bills introduced on the subject but their provisions have not been seen as enough to meet demands.
It's been a popular sentiment in the state that the valley areas have progressed faster than the hill districts.
There is already a 1971 Act on the subject but communities in the hill districts have been demanding more autonomy. Article 371(C), which was added to the Constitution in 1971, is also a basis for the demands.
