The term of office of the ADC members has been expired in the month of May 2020 as per the Section 13 of the Act, 1971 and the notification for election or reconstitution of ADCs shall be issued before the expiry of the term. However, the Manipur Government extended the term till November 30, 2020, without a reasonable ground of administrative difficulties which is highly unconstitutional and bad governance.

There is an interim order passed by the High Court of Manipur passed on 27-11-2020 with a direction to the State Government that the term of the ADCs be extended till the next date of hearing, i.e. 09-12-2020 and necessary order shall be issued by the State Government, in that regard, by 30-11-2020. However, the State Government issued an order of supersession on 30th November 2020, in total disregard and disobedience of the order passed by the court. Accordingly, the High Court of Manipur has suspended the order dated 30-11-2020 till the next hearing. The matter was put up on 18-12-2020 before the High Court of Manipur and the High Court of Manipur passed an order that the interim order 09-12-2020 shall be extended till 12th January 2021. The matter is to be heard on 13th January 2021. Hence, The incumbent members of ADCs are still the members of ADCs and they should be allowed to discharge their duties till the final order of the High Court of Manipur. However, the State Government is reluctant to honour and comply with the order of the Court and also fail to take consideration of the several requests and approaches of the tribal people.

The ATRPFM (All Tribal Rights’ Protection Forum Manipur) has submitted a representation on 15-12-2020 to the Governor, Chief Minister, Chairman of Hill Areas Committee, Minister (TA&Hills), and to Addl. Chief Secretary (TA&Hills) with a demand to issue notification for election or to extend the term of the ADCs. But the State Government has not taken any step in the matter. Accordingly, ATRPFM has served an “Ultimatum” on 24th December 2020 with the same demands, i.e. to issue notification for election on or before 5th January 2021 or extend the term of the ADCs till the actual conduct of the election.

However, the State Government has chosen to continue its unconstitutional act of supersession of all ADCs in total disregard of the order of the Court as well as the appeal of the tribal people, alledged ATRPFM .

In a press brief released to the media, it is stated that ATRPFM would impose bandh on national highways of Jiribam road and Imphal to Dimapur road from 7 p.m of 6th January to 7 p.m. of 8th January 2021. No movement of vehicles would be allowed on these days. All the public transporters and private vehicles are requested to cooperate with the proposed bandh and CSOs and individuals of the hill areas are appealed to extend cooperation for the common interests of the tribal communities, of which we shall be grateful. Any damages or eventualities shall be the sole responsibilities of the violators concerned.

However, essential services like media, medical emergencies, fire services, water supplies etc. will be exempted.