Claiming that the state chief minister had assured to upgrade Shamator ADC Hq to a full-fledged district unconditionally if NDPP candidate was elected unopposed in the last by-election to the 58 Shamator-Chessore assembly constituency, the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) has served an ultimatum on the state government to fulfil the assurance before December 31, 2021.
In an open letter to the chief minister, YTC president Throngso Yimkhiung, YAA president Achung Jangleh, YWO president Sholija Richard and YGBU president Lakiumong said the chief minister gave assurance to the YTC and all the intending candidates in the presence of his cabinet colleagues, senior party leaders. In the event of the government’s failure, the signatories said YTC and its frontal organizations have directed all the NDPP party workers including the incumbent MLA from 58 Shamator-Chessore assembly constituency to resign en mass latest by January 5, 2022.
The signatories said YTC honouring a gentleman’s assurance fulfilled the wish of the chief minister in letter and spirit and the Yimkhiungrüs have been waiting for declaration of Shamator district. However, to their amazement, they said the government has been procrastinating citing varied reasons, which did not seem to be applicable for creation of other districts except for upgradation of Shamator District. “Today, the Yimkhiungrüs feel humiliated and expresses its utmost resentment for the betrayal meted towards the tribe,” the signatories said.
Intending candidates appeal for honouring assurance: Intending candidates of by-election to the 58 Shamator Chessore assembly constituency– R Tohanba, K Ymso, W Akhum, H Mukam, L Thronghokiu, Dokiu Kecham and Rukkiumong— have also appealed the chief minister and the cabinet to honour the assurance and commitment.
In a joint letter addressed to the chief minister, the intending candidates welcomed the approval to upgrade ADC Shamator to a full-fledged district in principle. However, they expressed regret that the ‘approval in principle’ was subject to various conditions, which were “not as per the terms and conditions” that had been arrived between the state government and the intending candidates in presence of YTC.
They urged the chief minister to “solemnly uphold the gentleman’s promise” by issuing the proper notification declaring upgradation of ADC Shamator to full-fledged district headquarters before December 31, 2021.
YAA affirms to back YTC: Expressing disappointment over the state government’s failure to uphold the commitment and assurance to upgrade Shamator ADC headquarters to full-fledged district headquarters, the Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA) has affirmed to continuously and fully support the directive of Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) in the event of state government’s failure to deliver its commitment on or before December 31, 2021.
In a statement, YAA vice president K.Thsantong Yimkhiung and general secretary Donan S Yimkhiung said that the state government “must fulfil gentlemen’s agreement” both in letter and spirit and declare Shamator to a full-fledged district unconditionally as agreed. YAA said that “continuous deceitful actions” against the Yimkhiung people by the government was highly objectionable, intolerable and needed highest condemnation.
Meanwhile, YAA has directed all its federating units to be prepared for any sort of democratic protest.