Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 26 2010:
Revealing that double standard politics played by the leaders representing the hill people is behind the prevailing situation in the hill areas of the state, IFCD and YAS minister, N Biren today verbally attacked the leaders for neglecting their own people.
Addressing the inaugural function of late Kh Leonli Memorial Building at Langol Tarung village in Imphal west district as chief guest, the minister alleged that most of the elected people's representatives from the hill areas leaders standard in the hills and another in the valley.
As representatives of the people, they forget the poor people in their respective areas and never inquire about their living conditions.
Instead, they amass wealth to buy standing properties in New Delhi and lead a life of luxury forgetting their own poor people, Biren criticized.
He said that NSCN (IM) could no longer suppress the hill people and people have come out openly against their diktat.
The Secular Progressive Front Government (SPF) is taking up various developmental and welfare programmes in the hill and other remote areas of the state so as to bring about a balanced development, the chief guest said.
State government had taken a firm stand not to allow NSCN(IM), leader Th Muivah to enter Manipur because government knew of the motives behind his visit.
Acknowledging this, the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram declared in Parliament ruling out any change in the boundaries of the Northeastern states.
Government treated UNC leaders as the state's own people.
As a guardian of the people, it is utmost duty of the government to assuage their anger.
That was why, government representatives went to Senapati district to hold talks with them.
It is the bounden duty of the government to leave no stone unturned in finding a solution when an impasse surfaces.
There was nothing wrong with the state government in sending its representatives to Senapati, Biren said justifying the government's stand on the matter.
People need not worry when the Centre holds peace talks with the NSCN IM) or any other underground outfit since the state government cannot be bypassed while a negotiation is being brought about.
"Instead of creating tension by assumptions let us turn towards development," he appealed.
He also appealed to the people to elect and send the right persons as their representative to the Assembly and not leaders mad about money.
Further delivering his speech on the occasion, IFCD and YAS minister pointed out that attacking houses of individuals, and firing at house are not the work of true revolutionaries.
Such activities are going on unabated in the Imphal Municipality area.
This will compell the government to review the lifting of disturbed area status and for re-imposition of AFSPA.
The Kh Leonli Memorial Building at Langol Tarung village was donated by Kh Joykishan in the name of his late wife Kh Leonli.
The Donor, Kh Jaykishan, while speaking at the function recalled Leonli for the works she had performed for the welfare of the people.
He wanted to follow the path she had taken towards the welfare of the people.
The function was marked by offering of floral tributes to the photograph of late Kh Leonli and presenting gifts to the villagers of Tarung village by the Meetei womenfolk in the surrounding area.