NE intellectuals unenthusiastic about Lok Sabha polls
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Guwahati, March 25 2014:
Many noted intellectuals and prominent figures of the North East region perceive the ongoing canvassing of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections as just another usual exercise fooling the common people by the political parties and politicians.
In the whirlwind interviews conducted by reporters of Newmai News Network across the North East region today most of the intellectuals approached by this news agency were not enthusiastic in giving comments albeit they explained their stands 'off the record'.
They were asked as to which two most important priorities the political parties or candidates should focus pertaining to the North East region.
So most of them were lethargic to the whole electioneering process saying things will be the same.
Dr Malem Ningthouja, a New Delhi based activist and research scholar from Manipur, said that there was no point telling the political parties or politicians what they should do and what they should not as these politicians will forget the people's sentiments after the elections.
However, Dr Malem Ningthouja said his only wish is the political parties or politicians to encourage the people to democratically fight the ongoing neo-liberal exploitation in the name of development by the government.
"Once this happens then this big world order will be free from subjugation, operation and exploitation in the name of national security," Dr Malem Ningthouja said.
Dr A.C.Bhagavati, the former vice chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, has expressed concern over the alleged lack of focus on the North East region by the Central government.
He said that DoNER is there but that is not enough.
According to Dr Bhagavati, there is a general colonial perception on the North East region.
There is no genuine concern by the government for the North East region.
Another area of regret expressed by Dr Bhagavati is the level of corruption from the lowest level to the top.
Former advisor of North East Students Organisation (NESO) Artax Shimray said there should be good governance that should deliver services to the people.
He observed that rights enshrined in the constitutional must be ensured to the people.
Artax Shimray is currently the president of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) .
Guwahati based senior journalist from The Indian Express Samudragupta Kashyap said that of the many issues, connectivity should be improved in the region.
He wants that all the ruling and the opposition alike should address the pathetic roads, rails and airways in the North East region.
He also said infrastructure in the education front should not be neglected by the politicians.
Noted intellectual from Nagaland Niketu Iralu too expressed similar view of what Kashyap had stated.
Iralu wants that the road condition of the North East region should be brought up to a 'decent level'.
Iralu then said that immigration of people from Bangladesh should be checked immediately saying if this is not done urgently the situation is going to explode soon which will be catastrophic.
Vote bank politics is one factor for this immigration problem, Niketu Iralu added.
Noted singer Lou Majaw from Shillong has different view.
He is very much concern about the pollution level.
He wants the politicians to address the pollution problem as an urgent issue.
Another area of concern expressed by Lou Majaw is the price rise.
He said that today the common people are suffering due to ever rising of price of essential commodities and he wants the politicians to check this grim trend.
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