Cong manifesto promises political settlement, Naga solution
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 05 2024: The Congress party released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election 2024 and it promises political settlement of the Manipur crisis and a final solution to the Naga issue.

The Congress party assures that it would appoint a reconciliation commission to bring about a political and administrative settlement that would be satisfactory to all the people of the State.

Through its manifesto, the Congress party vows to remove the present State Government of Manipur and heal the wounds between the communities.

It also assures appropriate compensation and redress for the victims and survivors of the conflict in Manipur.

On the Naga issue, it said, "A final solution and agreement will be entered into with the Naga groups on the basis of the preliminary agreement that had been agreed in 2013-14" .

Cong manifesto promises political settlement, Naga solution

The Congress manifesto promises to revive the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the North Eastern States and make them an effective instrument of local Government.

"We will ensure that more funds are channelised through the ADCs for developmental works", it said.

However, the Congress party's manifesto released by INDIA Bloc Manipur at Imphal has certain additional points.

It promises to enact an appropriate law by way of introducing Displaced Persons (Compensation & Resettlement) Bill in the Parliament so as to provide adequate compensation to all those people who were killed, injured and whose houses and properties were destroyed in the violence.

It further promises to enact another law to enable and facilitate youngsters who acted as village defence volunteers join State forces.

Another additional point listed in the manifesto is introduction of a quota system in Government jobs for those youth who suffered disabilities in the violence.

The Congress party also promises to form an enquiry commission to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the destruction and losses suffered by the people of Manipur during the violent crisis.

The Congress manifesto christened Nyay Patra was released at Congress Bhavan in the presence of INDIA Bloc Manipur leaders.

The manifesto promises a number of welfare programmes and schemes for farmers, workers, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, women and children.

The release of the election manifesto was followed by an interaction programme with supporters of the Congress candidates who came from Yaiskul AC and Konthoujam AC.

Speaking at the interaction programme, MPCC president K Meghachandra said that BJP has been campaigning hard for the election by telling all kinds of lies about NRC, SoO and FMR.

So far, FMR has not been scrapped along the Indo-Myanmar border nor SoO with Kuki militant groups has been abrogated.

He said that the Manipur crisis aggravated to the extreme because of BJP's misrule.

If Angomcha Bimol Akoijam and Alfred Kangam Arthur are elected, the Congress party will leave no stone unturned to bring a solution to the current crisis, he said.

The Chief Minister is meeting thousands of people everyday at his bungalow and this is a clear case of violation of the election model code of conduct, he said.

It is rather unfortunate that BJP MLA RK Imo has been telling the people that Congress does not support NRC.

Contrary to RK Imo's propaganda, Congress supports NRC and the party always gave support whenever any decision was adopted in the State Assembly on implementation of NRC in the State, Meghachandra said.

Dr Bimol Akoijam warned that Manipur would fall into even greater misery if people's priceless votes are exchanged with money.

Manipur has fallen into total anarchy and its economy is now in a very bad shape.

"Let us not forget that thousands of people have been suffering unspeakable misery in relief camps at present", Dr Bimol said.

Some people have been working to buy people's right to vote with money.

Some people living within the Manipuri society had their hands in the conspiracy to break apart Manipur, he said.

"If I get elected, people may see what I can do as an MP.

People may test what I can do inside the Parliament and outside on the Manipur crisis", Dr Bimol said.

He said that he would have more strength in fighting for the issues of Manipur as a Member of Parliament than as a teacher.

When the price of onion shot up, the Sheila Dixit-Government collapsed in Delhi.

In Manipur, many lives which are far more precious than onions have been cut short, he said.

He appealed to all his supporters not to speak about personal matters which may hurt the sentiments of rival candidates.

He also appealed to all the people to ensure that the ensuing election is held without any violence.

CPI Manipur State Council Secretariat member Meisnam Sakhi Devi said that the INDIA Bloc was formed by 26 parties with the common goal of saving India.

In the same vein, around nine political parties came together in Manipur and formed INDIA Bloc Manipur.

Saying that a large number of women have been keeping strict vigil round the clock at many peripheral areas by forgoing even the night's sleep, Sakhi appealed to all the people to vote for Bimol Akoijam so that all the women can sleep peacefully at night.

The film actors who have been fighting the election will not be able to say or do anything once they step outside the State, Sakhi said.

She also called upon all the people to be wary of the candidates who have been contesting the election apparently under a conspiracy with BJP to defeat the INDIA Bloc's candidates.

She also appealed to all the people to work for Dr Bimol Akoijam's victory in order to protect Manipur and its integrity.

It's time to uproot BJP from Manipur and India, she added.

Former MPCC president N Loken said that no one was ready to fight the Lok Sabha election in Manipur on BJP ticket even after extensive search before Education Minister from Nambol AC Thounaojam Basanta Kumar was made the scapegoat.

The ensuing Lok Sabha election is a battle between those who are determined to protect Manipur and those scheming to destroy the State.

It is up to the people to ensure that those determined to protect Manipur emerge victorious, he added.

Former MP Dr Thokchom Meinya, INDIA Block Manipur convenor and CPI Manipur State Council Secretary Kshetrimayum Shanta Singh, and leaders of different political parties which are partners of INDIA Bloc Manipur were also present at the event.