All 136 elected Autonomous District Council members for the six constituencies were sworn in on Saturday, at a function held in the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex here.
They had been staying inside the complex since some armed militants and other organisations objected to the ADC elections. Out of the total 144 seats, six had no candidates, and no voter came out in two seats after threats from militants and some organisations.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, PCC president Gaikhangam and others who were present said the way people had come out to exercise their franchise showed that they could not be browbeaten.
ADVERTISEMENT
The elections were held after a gap of 20 years and the ADCs would do everything for the speedy development of the tribal areas, Mr. Ibobi said.
Mr. Gaikhangam said that despite attempts by certain elements to drive a wedge among the tribals and non-tribals in Manipur, the generations-old communal harmony could not be affected.
Mr. Ibobi said Manipur cannot be developed without properly developing tribal areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
He regretted the torching of houses including those of the Tribal Development Minister D.D. Thaisii and Mr. Gaikhangam.
Tribal students and organisations had imposed a blockade from April 11 to June 18 objecting to the ADC elections.
The Congress won a landslide victory by winning 102 seats out of the 136 seats which went to polls on May 26 and June 2.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council, one of the tribal organisations which had imposed a blockade, has said ADCs cannot function in tribal areas.