No focus on agriculture : Haokholet Kipgen
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 14 2022:
Not a single MLA from hill districts has given due emphasis on how to increase agricultural productivity in hill districts which constitute the majority of the land area of the State, said Independent candidate for the 12th State Assembly election in Saitu AC Haokholet Kipgen.
He was addressing his supporters during his flag hoisting ceremony at Hengbung when he made the statement.
He said Manipur is among the States where educated youth are bereft of employment opportunities and are facing so many other disturbing issues.
There are ways to provide avenues for self employment to these hapless youth and of the many options, their engagement in the agriculture on the land lying unused in hill districts can be one of the viable avenues for them.
But sadly, none of those elected to the State Assembly from hill districts had ever given much weight to this till date, he said.
Lamenting the sorry state of electioneering in hill districts, Haokholet highlighted that gun culture, money and muscle power have been the approach of many candidates in pursuance of victory in the Assembly election.
And what these candidates will do after victory is seek their own welfare and benefits, he continued.
As successive MLAs have been interested only in self aggrandisement, Saitu AC continues to lag behind in all spheres.
The AC, sadly has no Government school or college and the connectivity and health facilities are in pitiable condition, he said.
If he is elected, he will give due emphasis in developing educational, connectivity and health sectors, he assured.
Manipur is akin to a mini State, with a number of communities living together for ages in the hills and valleys.
At a time when many are calling for unity of hills and valley, some sections from the hills are accusing valley people of encroaching on their land while valley people are accusing injudicious use of their land holdings and the mudslinging continues, he said.
Why should such issues arise and persist if the people had elected visionary and far sighted leaders, he said while adding that he will make all possible effort to curb the hill-valley issues if he is elected to power in the ensuing State Assembly election.
Manipur can only progress and be a peaceful State when hills and valley are treated equally and development takes place at the same pace, he continued.