NPF charges Dy CM, Francis Ngajokpa with inciting hatred
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 08, 2013:
Naga People's Front (NPF) has charged Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and RD & PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa with inciting hatred among the people of the hills and the plains by deliberately saying one thing in the hills and another in the plains.
Athuan Abonmei, Secretary, NPF, State Unit, informed Hueiyen Lanpao that the statement made by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at the inaugural session of the 2-day long workshop on "Road Connectivity of Hill Districts" organized under the aegis of Tribal Research Institute, Manipur yesterday, whereinhe said that "Good human relationship is better than good road connectivity", totally lacks responsibility.
"The Deputy Chief Minister seems to have failed to understand that the people in the hills have launched series of agitations including demand for 'Alternative Arrangement' and 'Statehood Demand' on account of poor condition of roads, lack of health facilities and lack of electricity supply in the hills", Abonmei said.
The incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, in his political career, had been the Works Minister, but no road improvement works had been done under his leadership so far even in his own constituency, forget about the State, Abonmei charged, adding that Gaikhangam is taking the advantage of the simplicity of the people in the hills and misusing the funds sanctioned for the development of the hill regions and looting the general public.
The NPF Secretary, State Unit further asked Minister Francis Ngajokpa as to where the 80 percent of the total funds allocated by the Central Government under PMGSY for the hill areas of Manipur have gone if his statement that "From the total amount of funds sanctioned by the Central Government under PMGSY, for the development of roads in the State, 80 percent of the funds are utilized in the hills and the remaining 20% for the plains", is true.
The people of the State should understand the motive behind their speeches which will create chaos and misunderstanding among the people of the hills and the plains.
It was earlier believed that the misuse of funds meant for the hills was done by the Chief Minister, but on deeper analysis it has been found that political leaders like Minister Francis Ngajokpa and the like are the ones involved in looting the people, Abonmei asserted.
He further charged Minister Francis Ngajokpa with lack of qualities to be a Minister and unwillingness to serve the people as huge amount of funds given under Backward Region Grant Fund, 2012-13 (Rs 10.42 crores for Tamenglong, Rs 10.47 crores for Churachandpur and Rs 10.42 crores for Chandel district) have been sent back without being utilized.
The work under the 8th phase of PMGSY in the State has been held back due to a standing order of the court.
The statement of Minister Francis Ngajokpa, saying that the work has been stopped because of undue intervention from various angles, provides no room for not arresting him and booking him as per the law of the land.
It would be wise decision on the part of the Chief Minister not to include such self-centred politicians in his Cabinet Ministers, Abonmei added.