NPF meet reassesses integration process
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Tamenglong, May 14 2013: "Naga Peoples' Front (NPF) has been working for Naga integration," said NPF, Manipur State secretary Athuan Abonmai while NPF, Manipur State president Soso Lorho said, "NPF is the symbol of Naga unity but many do not realise this fact" .

These sentiments were echoed today in Tamenglong district headquarters during the district level political awareness campaign and installation of NPF office bearers of three assembly constituencies of Tamenglong district, namely Tamei, Tamenglong and Nungba.

"We will work on priority basis for the early settlement of honourable, acceptable and workable solution to the Naga political issue," asserted Athuan Abonmai.

Today's programme was attended by Soso Lorho, former minister and president of NPF Manipur, Ukhrul MLA Samuel Risom, Dr Khasim Ruivah, former minister and advisor of NPF Manipur, A Aza, former minister and vice president of NPF Manipur, PA Thekho, Advisor of NPF Manipur and Sword Vashum, Working President of NPF, Manipur.

The oath taking of the newly inducted office bearers of NPF for three assembly constituencies of Tamenglong district was administered by president of NPF Manipur State Soso Lorho.

Speaking at the occasion, Soso Lorho said that NPF is the symbol of Naga unity, but 'it is very unfortunate that many are unaware about this fact'.

He then called upon the Naga people to come together on this platform and strive together for the betterment of the society.

Samuel Risom said that the door is always open to all to join the NPF while Dr Khasim Ruivah said that NPF was extended to Manipur to prove wrong the campaign of Okram Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur who used to claim that there is no Nagas in Manipur.

Imposing Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reformation Act in the hills of Manipur is against the will of the hill people, Dr Ruivah stated.

"Shouting that 'Manipur cannot be divided' is in contravention of 'the Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, said Dr Ruivah, adding, "Shouting Chingtam Amattani (Hill Valley are equal) is only on lips and the government is biased in functioning be it in distribution of developmental funds, transfer and posting, promotion of government employees," alleged Dr Khasim Ruivah.

The valley-centric state government does not cared for the hill people and thus the 6th Schedule of the Constitution was not extended in Manipur hill districts.

However, the state government hoodwinked the tribal people in conducting the Autonomous District Council election without changing the Act making it a toothless council, Dr Khasim Ruivah stated.

Also speaking on the occasion, former minister A.Aza terms Gaikhangam, the deputy chief minister of Manipur who also holds Home portfolio, Tribal Development and Food and Consumer Affairs as a 'Paper tiger' .

"But the people can make him a real tiger so that he can do something good to his people.

Citing the deplorable condition of the Khongsang-Tamenglong road A Aza asked the people not to simply wait but to pressurize the government to carry out their assigned duties.

"Manipur has full of world records and one such would be 'police arresting police' for trading the banned drugs.

We have at hand the cases of Alice Kamei who is being kept in the custody of an outlawed organization RPF/ PLA and Jangthailiu Kamei, a chilly trader who was raped by the police.

If you want all these to change, vote NPF to power", Aza urged the gathering.

Sword Vashum, the working president of NPF Manipur State wondered why Tamenglong is worsening every passing year despite the fact that this is the 66th Year of India's independence.

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