Law & order hindrance to taking up projects: Agatha Sangma
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 15 2011: In spite of having quite a sizable number of educated youths in Manipur, the state government has not created any job opportunity to absorb them, thus encouraging these educated youths to go astray and add to the problem of law and order in the state, Union Minister of State in-charge of Rural Development Agatha Sangma, who arrived here on a three-day visit, has alleged.

She was speaking as Chief Guest of a day-long political conference organized by Thangmeiband Kendra Nationalist Congress Committee at Ibudhou Naothingkhong Pakhangba Shanglen, Thangmeiband Lairenhanjaba Leikai today.

Agatha said that there are a wide range of developmental projects and schemes under her Ministry of Rural Development which would be of great benefit for the people of Manipur but these developmental projects and schemes could not be implemented fully owing to law and order situation in the state.

Stating that she has come to Manipur not as a Union Minister but as a member of NCP, the youngest Indian Parliamentarian observed that as a Member of the Parliament, she is representing the Northeast states.

Union Minister of State in-charge of Rural Development Agatha Sangma inaugurating a one-day political conference at Ibudhou Naothingkhong Pakhangba Shanglen, Thangmeiband, Lairenhanjaba Leikai

"North East is home for me, and I have been taking up the issues of the region including that of Manipur in the Parliament and would continue to do so", she assured.

Coming out strongly against the indifferent attitude of the mainstream India towards the issues of North East, Agatha pointed out that when Anna Hazare fasted for four days, more than 24 news channels made it daily headlines to bring the government of India on its knee, but none of these news channel have given any attention to the more than 11 years old fast of Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been demanding repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

"This is shameful for the mainland people", she added.

She went on to say that the people of Manipur have been subjected to a lot of hardships during the recent 100-day long economic blockade enforced along the National Highways leading to Manipur on account of the failure of the state government to come up with a solution in time.

The people of Manipur should opt for an "alternative government" to avoid such sufferings in the future, Agatha exhorted, adding that the state of Manipur needs a change.

Presiding over the conference, President of Nationalist Congress Party, Manipur Pradesh Radhabinod Koijam explained that democracy means electing a good government which would listen to the grievances of the people.

If it does not listen to the cries of the people, what is the point of electing such a government?, he questioned, while underlining the needs for choosing representatives who are efficient and would understand the pulse of the people.

Radhabinod observed that there is no objection or greed to the welfare measures taken up for the Nagas and Kukis in Manipur.

The common interest of the people of Manipur and its territorial integrity should not be compromised.

He also came out strongly against the failure of the governments, both at the centre and the state, to take up necessary measures to ameliorate the suffering of the people of Manipur during the recent more than 4-month long economic blockade.

Reacting to the statement made by NSCN-IM leader Th Muivah after meeting the Union Home Minister yesterday, in which he said that they would get something special, Radhabinod questioned what sort of special thing is that as the Prime Minister himself had already assured the people that the government would not compromise the territorial integrity of the north eastern states and that there is no such proposal like Supra-State body.

Apart from party MLAs like, Th Nandakishore, Doukhomang Khongai and Salam Joy, Vice President of NCP Manipur Pradesh Laisom Ibomcha, NCP Youth Front President M Prafullo, etc, were also present and spoke at the political conference cautioning the public against 'contractors' aspiring to contest in the election and taking the upcoming election to the state Assembly lightly.