High Court directs state government to conduct panchayat elections within 6 months:

News Topical, Digital Desk : The Manipur High Court on Friday directed the state government to conduct panchayat elections within six months. The order was issued by a division bench of Chief Justice Kempaiah Somshekhar and Justice Guneshwar Sharma during a hearing on the long-pending local body elections. Panchayat elections in the state were last held in 2017. Although fresh elections were to be held in June 2023 after the completion of the five-year term, they remained pending. Since then, panchayati raj institutions have been functioning through administrative committees.

In its hearing, the High Court said, "In order to streamline the Panchayati Raj system in Manipur, the State Government is given the liberty to appoint a new administrative committee for the Gram Panchayat and an administrator for the Zilla Parishad for a period not exceeding six months." The court also quashed all previous orders of the State Government appointing administrative committees.

Instructions given to the state government

The High Court said, "All orders of appointment of Administrator for the Administrative Committee of the Gram Panchayat and the Zilla Parishad, which were issued by the State Government in pursuance of the interim order dated 29.02.2024 for a period exceeding 6 (six) months and till the elections are held, are cancelled." The court said, "The State Government is directed to conduct fresh elections within a period of six months."

Congress demands fresh elections

On the other hand, Congress MP Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka has demanded fresh elections in Manipur. He said on Thursday that the party wants the return of peace and brotherhood in the state. He was addressing the state-level rally of 'Vote Chor, Gaddi Chor' in Imphal. Ulaka, in-charge of Manipur affairs of Congress, said, "We are holding this rally here so that you know what is happening in the country. The Congress party, our leader Rahul Gandhi will ensure that the democracy enshrined in the Constitution is protected."

MP Saptagiri Shankar Ulaka said President's rule has been imposed in the state even though the BJP and its allies have 55 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. "Our demand is simple. We want fresh elections in Manipur where people will choose their government and resolve the issues. At the moment there is no solution, no peace. We will stand with Manipur and ensure peace and harmony returns to the state," he said.