Imphal, Oct. 31: The demand for implementing the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the hill areas of Manipur has sparked a major debate in the state.

While tribal organisations are demanding the implementation of the Sixth Schedule in the five hill districts, the United Committee, Manipur (UCM) fears that it could lead to a hill-valley divide in the state.

The UCM has demanded that the government make public the report of the recently-constituted Cabinet sub-committee before taking a final decision on the matter.

It said the implementation of the Sixth Schedule would result in the hills being administered by the Centre through the Governor.

The UCM said during the British era, the rulers had employed a similar divide-and-rule policy in Manipur by separating the administration of the hills and the valley. Development of the hills, the UCM said, could only be brought about by making necessary arrangements within the present political set-up. The UCM also appealed to all groups to shun their “narrow outlook.”

Angry over the delay by the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) government, the Sixth Schedule Demand Committee yesterday decided not to go ahead with their demand now, but to support the All-Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur (ATSUM)’s demand for a separate Union Territory by carving out the five hill districts from the state.

The committee said the government’s decision to constitute a Cabinet sub-committee to look into its demand was nothing but “delaying tactics”. Several tribal organisations, which attended the committee’s meeting also criticised the delay in the implementation of the schedule.