UNC demand should not harm State's interest: Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, May 07 2015 : Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam on Thursday stated the State Government would not remain a silent spectator if the 'Alternative Arrangement' demanded by UNC harms the interest of Manipur.

United Naga Council (UNC) must refrain from repeating its voice that could incite tension among the ethnic communities of the State, Gaikhangam told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the Congress Bhavan here.

At the Congress Bhavan, Manipur Pradesh Congress Seva Dal celebrated the 126th birth anniversary of Dr NS Hardikar who set up the Congress Seva Dal.

After participating in the function, Gaikhangam, who is also the MPCC President, further told reporters that Manipur Government is not the authority to grant the UNC demand.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam

Commenting on the upcoming Autonomous District Council (ADC) polls, the Deputy CM expressed regret over the reported threat issued by underground organizations to ADC poll candidates.

He claimed that due to the poll threat, the number of Congress nominations for the ADC polls had gone down though the party had given a total of 130 tickets to aspirants.

He, however, exuded confidence that Congress Party was heading for a sweeping victory in the ADC polls to be held on June 1 .

"Even though Congress wanted to contest the coming ADC polls in all the 144 seats, strong pressure and threats from various sections compelled Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to field lesser number of candidates.

However, Congress will have a landslide victory as Congress-backed independent candidates will contest from the remaining seats," added Gaikhangam.

Manipur Government is not letting a free hand to these outfits, but the government is having a "measured" dealing with them as many unwanted cases of violence may arise and may worsen the problem, he said.

The Deputy CM also stated that outfits which are under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Central Government are also "disturbing" the election process.

"This is a sensitive situation and the State Government has to exercise restraint," he said.

Gaikhangam assured that befitting punishment will be given under the law to the culprit involved in Pallel firing and confirmed that the accused was already in police custody.