Awangbow takes strong stand against Cong
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal/Ukhrul, April 12 2024:
Recalling the horrors committed by security forces under the cloak of AFSPA, NPF Manipur unit president Awangbow Newmai has asserted that voting for Congress party would be akin to signing one's own death warrant.
Awangbow Newmai was speaking at the launch of NPF candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik's election campaign in Chandel and Tengnoupal districts at Leipung Tampak village, Chandel district yesterday.
"All the people of the North Eastern States belong to small communities.
However, when we expressed our aspirations, we were responded with AFSPA 1958", he said.
Under the shadow of AFSPA, large numbers of people were subjected to unspeakable atrocities.
Many women were raped and lakhs of people were killed and their kins never received any sort of ex-gratia, Awangbow said.
Some people were holding a meeting at Makhan in 2000.Suddenly, some military personnel who concealed their identity came here and rounded up all the people.
Asking if they did not know that AFSPA was still in force, the military personnel thrashed all the civilians, Awangbow recalled adding that the situation has improved to some extent these days.
It was the Congress party which introduced the draconian AFSPA and voting for Congress party would be akin to signing one's own death warrant, the NPF Manipur unit president asserted.
He then appealed to the gathering to vote for Timothy Zimik, who is being supported by BJP and other partners of NDA.
For the first time, Naga MLAs have been fielding a single candidate for the Lok Sabha election in Outer Manipur PC after forming the Naga MLAs' Forum, Awangbow said.
It is rather fortunate that the particular candidate is being supported by BJP and other alliance partners of NDA, he said.
If Timothy Zimik is elected, he would be a people's MP and also of BJP, NPF and NPP, Awangbow said.
Casting vote is about preparing for the future.
As such, electorates need to study the merits, agendas and platforms of the candidates before casting their votes, the NPF leader said.
Kachui Timothy Zimik said that he would work honestly to live up to the people's faith and expectations.
Although different communities were living together in peace, neither Nagas nor Kukis nor Meiteis nor any other community is happy with the current situation of Manipur, he said.
"All of us need to work together and explore a solution to the crisis", Timothy said.
"Give me an opportunity to work out a solution by electing me to the Parliament.
I will work to make Manipur a peaceful and progressive State if I'm elected", Timothy vowed.
Chandel and Tengnoupal districts would have one more Assembly seat when the delimitation exercise is carried out based on the census report of either 2001 or 2011, he said.
Timothy said that he would closely study the people's sentiment and wishes as and when the delimitation exercise is carried out.
Chandel and Tengnoupal are a gateway of India's Act East Policy but there is a need to develop a special economic zone in the two districts.
Planning and implementation of such development programmes requires people's support, said the NPF candidate.
Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, MLAs Jamhenglung Panmei, SS Olish, former Minister D Korungthang, LDA Chairman M Asnikumar, office bearers of BJP Chandel Mandal, village chiefs and CSO leaders were present at the election rally.
A similar election rally was held at Wino Bazar, Ukhrul district headquarters today.
Speaking at the rally, Awangbow Newmai stated that NPF's alliance with BJP is based on three principles to bring peace in Manipur based on an amicable, acceptable and permanent solution for Nagas.
Timothy Zimik claimed that 20 out of 21 Naga tribes of Manipur have endorsed his candidature and 10 Naga MLAs, eight valley MLAs, Naga CSOs and other political parties have pledged their support to him.
"I may not be a good orator but I'm a man of principle", he said.
"I pledge in front of you that I will dedicate the rest of my time, energy and experience for my people by representing them at the Centre as a parliamentarian", Timothy added.
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