Imphal- Ten tribal organizations in Manipur, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), issued a joint statement on Sunday urging the public to boycott the upcoming Autonomous District Councils (ADC) elections. The organizations argue that the elections, proposed by the Manipur government, are an attempt to undermine the ongoing tribal movement for a separate administration.

The HAC, a body under the Manipur Legislative Assembly, passed a resolution on October 14 recommending the state government to conduct the long-pending ADC elections as soon as possible. The resolution also proposed forming a 20-member committee for each ADC to oversee its administration until the elections are held. These committees would consist of 18 former ADC members, experts in local self-government, eminent individuals, and two government nominees.

The ten tribal organizations, however, contend that the HAC resolution is unacceptable as it lacks the consent of Kuki-Zo MLAs. They claim the resolution, recommending elections amidst ethnic violence, is "contentious, deceptive, and highly undesirable." The organizations point to the lack of local body elections in the state since 2016, including the ADCs, as evidence of the government's disregard for the hill people's welfare.

The tribal bodies allege that the proposed elections are a ploy to divert attention from the tribal movement's demand for a separate administration. They stated, "After so much death, destruction, and the vilification of our community by the state government, we will not be distracted by local body elections. We advise the people not to participate in ADC elections until there is a settlement of our political demand.”

The opposition Congress party has also criticized the government's handling of the ADC elections. State Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh accused the BJP government of being "anti-tribal" for neglecting to conduct the elections for the past four years. He argued that the delay has resulted in financial difficulties for the ADCs and deprived the hill people of crucial funds, including financial devolution, central grants-in-aid, central financing, MGNREGS, central schemes related to ADCs and the Finance Commission awards. He further stated that this has negatively impacted the State Annual Budget 2024-2025.