AZO asks all not to divide hills and valley over delimitation

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 9: Endorsing delimitation based on 2001 and 2011 census, All Zeliangrong Organisation, Manipur Valley president Maibon Phaomei has appealed all CSOs and people not to divide valley and hills over delimitation.
Speaking to media persons during a press meet at Namdunlong, he said the Government has even formed committee to conduct the delimitation based on 2001 census.
"The delimitation process should be seen as a whole for the State. It should not be seen separately from the hills and valley perspective. And if all CSOs believe hills and valley as one, why are some against the delimitation," he questioned.
"It is unfortunate that some are apprehensive that valley would lose Assembly seats to hills due to delimitation, when in fact both hill and valley are parts of Manipur," he said.
If the notion "hills and valley are one" is indeed true, then no one should oppose changes in the Assembly seats brought by the delimitation, he said adding all 60 seats belong to Manipur.
He further asserted that the census reports of 2001 and 2011 were not rejected by the Government and the State is availing huge development funds from the Centre based on the census.
He welcomes delimitation based on 2001 in the spirit of united Manipur and wants peace to prevail with stronger bonds between the hills and valley dwellers, said Maibon Phaomei.
Painting seprate tinges of hills and valley on the delimitation would not bring the desire peace and unity, he said.