NPP pledges to repeal AFSPA
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 10 2021: Bringing solution to insurgency movement in the northeast will rest on compatible socio-economic advancement and peace cannot be ensured through use of military might, asserted Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

Speaking at a youth convention organised on the topic of "Our Future in Our Hands" at HVS, Patsoi on Friday, Conrad, who is the national president of National People's Party (NPP) declared that for NPP, positive and hardworking people will be the future of the state.

India is a young country but its young population continues to be bogged down by many issues.

"On December 4, several innocent civilians were gunned down indiscriminately in Mon district of Nagaland.

The campaign to repeal AFSPA gained momentum from Manipur in 2002 but the problem continues to persist even after two decades.

It must be noted that insurgency issues arise due to socio-economic problems.

There is need for strong security but this is not the solution, socio-economic process is.

Any solution brought on by violent means will only vitiate the situation.

"It must also be remembered that the young people who joined insurgent groups are also citizens of this country.

However, AFSPA is being used as a means of waging war and an excuse for armed forces to use extreme force to bring about a solution.

Many young people have died due to misuse of this draconian Act and NYPF had organised a candlelight vigil condemning the incident in Nagaland.

"Ever since NPP came to power in Meghalaya, it has been putting pressure on the central government to repeal AFSPA and the same was repealed later with the support of the central government as soon as the NPP government completed one month," Conrad conveyed, while stressing that concerted efforts are needed to have this Act repealed from the other states in the region.

The Meghalaya CM continued: "There are also many issues such as the unemployment problem of educated youth.

Unless the youth embark on the path of self-employment and try to become entrepreneurs, the unemployment problem will continue to exist.

In the context of Meghalaya, 50,000 youths are employed in the workforce every year, thereby helping to create jobs for oth-er youth.

As the government alone does not have the power to generate jobs there is the need to promote entrepreneurship culture".

Conrad then urged NPYF to take entrepreneurship as the key agenda for the upcoming polls, while emphasising the need for the government to take the role of facilitator.

In addition, NPYF should also consider other important issues such as climate change.

"The youth are full of talents and skills.

NPP will not only encourage the talented youth but will also include the same in the party's manifesto, while prioritising the country, the people and the youth.

"Meanwhile, democracy is the only way for bringing about a fully developed Manipur.

Thus, the upcoming election should not be taken lightly and the youth should be careful in their decision, as it will determine their independent futures," he cautioned.

As part of the convention, a session was held in the morning which was attended by Manipur deputy chief minister Y Joykumar and titular king of Tripura Pradyot Manikya.

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