NSCN (IM) accused of threatening Adanee's men
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 09 2009: Activists of the armed NSCN (IM) have been accused of intervening and enforcing ban against election campaign of BJP candidate for the Outer manipur parliamentary constituency Loli Adanee.

Raising the issue at an election rally in Chandel district headquarters today, former Tangkhul Nagalong (TNL) president Ramthing Hungyo said he received a telephone call this morning from an NSCN (IM) member not to participate in any election campaigns of the BJP nominee.

Pointing to the PDA election manifesto wherein safeguard/protection of human rights has been pledged, Ramthing observed that with armed NSCN (IM) activists joining election campaigns in support of Mani Charenamei but at the same time threatening political workers of other candidates it is unlikely human rights could be assured as had been highlighted in the PDA manifesto.

Loli Adanee addresses a gathering at Chandel during his election campaign

recounting comments of the present Nagaland Chief minister Neiphiu Rio, during campaigning for the nagaland assembly election, to vote for the Naga People's Front with the assertion to solve the vexed Naga political issue within six months, the former TNL functionary maintained that rather than solve the issue Rio had been the chief factor for the spate of bloodshed in Nagaland.

Apart from failure to find a solution to the Naga issue, the problem has been further aggravated owing to factionalism and formation of armed splinter groups consequently increasing bloodshed among the Nagas, he maintained while expressing that PDA working in tandem with the NPF is sowing seed of hatred in manipur as well.

Regarding Charenamei speaking in support of the UPA Government in the Parliament, Ramthing said other than berating reaction from the retired Chief of Army Staff JJ Singh to the MP's comment there had been no appreciation to Charenamei's stance.

Charenamei not only betrayed cause of the nagas but has let down the people by adopting double standard through his pledge for Naga sovereignty while in New Delhi which is being diluted on the planks of Naga integration upon returning to the home soil, Ramthing opined and asked Charenamei not to mislead the Naga people.

Substantiating his observation, the BJP political campaigner pointed to Charenamei speaking about Naga integration during election rallies in Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts with the tone substituted by pledge for formation of a separate tribal entity (State) when electorates of Churachandpur are addressed and urged the people to decide whether or not to trust Charenamei.

Bashing of the MP persisted at the BJP meeting with former election contestant Athon Abonmai accusing Charenamei of misusing crores of rupees allotted to implement welfare programmes for the tribal people in the State including withdrawal of Rs 23 lakhs under the pretext of constructing a boys' hostel in Lambung of Chandel district.

In accumulating personal wealth from the public money in terms of crores of rupees Charenamei had been baffling the public with concocted claim that substantial amount had been handed over to the NSCN (IM), Abonmai alleged.

In his address to the gathering, Loli Adanee said as Chandel district has tremendous potential to become highway of south East Asia there is urgent need for infrastructural development in the district so as to boost economic activities.

lamenting that people of the land have become political 'slave' owing to various atrocities perpetrated by security forces, Adanee said to free the people from such bondage removal of the draconian Armed Forces' Special powers Act 1958 has become inevitable.

For development of the hill districts, the BJP nominee stressed on surface connectivity through an inter-district link road that would facilitate economic transportation of goods, holding of District council elections and extension of Sixth Schedule in the hill districts for which he sought mandate of the people.

Adanee also desired cooperation and understanding between the two representatives from the State in scheming development plans as failure to jointly pursue and uphold interest of people of manipur in the Indian Parliament is certain to result in further corrosion of the State in all aspects.

As certain pockets of the valley areas fall within the Outer manipur Parliamentary Constituency, canvassing support for Adanee was also undertaken today by State unit BJP leaders including former Chief Minister RK Dorendra Singh at Nongpok Sekmai, Usikhong Keithel, Ukhongsang Maning Leikai etc.