The Janata Dal (United) – Manipur Unit, led by its president, called on the attention of Manipur Governor A.K. Bhalla on Thursday at Raj Bhawan, urging him to hold the elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies (Municipal Councils & Nagar Panchayats), and Autonomous District Councils in the hills at the earliest to restore democratically elected institutions.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor, they urged the resolution of the protracted conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur through negotiation with stakeholders at the earliest, and to manage the return of the internally displaced people belonging to both communities from relief camps to their respective original homes.
The memo said the delay in resolving the crisis has caused immense misery and hardship to the people of the state in general. It also stated that not holding elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions, Urban Local Bodies, namely Municipal Councils, and Autonomous District Councils in the hill areas after the expiry of their terms for more than two and a half years has rendered these institutions meaningless, and such acts have destroyed democracy at the grassroots.
