HM challenges UNC dictate
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 14 2012: Challenging the dictate of United Naga Council (UNC) to all Nagas to abstain from participating in the forthcoming Manipur Government sponsored Sangai Festival at Imphal, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the portfolio of Home, has categorically stated that he would be participating in the festival even though he is a Naga and so are all the Nagas.

Minister Gaikhangam was speaking to media persons on the sideline of a function organized at the office of MPPC to mark the 123rd birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, here today.

He said that being a democratic country every individual has the right to express his/her opinions.

However, the statement of UNC and its dictate to the Nagas is indeed unfortunate and it cannot be accepted by the people.

"So, I along with all other Nagas of the state will be taking part in the Sangai Festival, which is scheduled to be held from November 21 to 30 at Hapta Kangjeibung", Gaikhangam assured.

While observing that the financial condition of the state has improved, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the amount of the state plan which had remained stalled for the last 6/7 months has been released.

So, within a short period, all the financial problems being faced by the state would be solved and a change would be seen very soon.

Since the Chief Minister is minutely monitoring the financial condition of the state, the reasons given in news papers for not organizing the annual Healthy Baby Show in the state this time on the occasion of Children's day, could not be true, he contended.

Replying to a query, Gaikhangam noted that the Supreme Court had ordered to take up stern actions against all those groups and individuals taking up bandhs and blockades.

However, considering the fact that peaceful solution can be brought through negotiations; the State Government has not taken up any action against them so far.

The bandhs and blockades will not only harm the general public but also those persons and organizations who are calling the bandhs and blockades.

Replying to another query, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that the work for keeping clean all the statues erected in Imphal area has been assigned to the IMC and assured that he would be enquiring IMC as to why the statues are being kept dirty.

Prior to interacting with media persons, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also the President of MPPC, led other members of MPCC in offering floral tributes to the statue of Jawaharlal Nehru which is located on the northern side of Western Kangla gate.

S Achouba, Vice President of MPCC; MLA T Mangibabu, Vice President of MPCC, Minister AK Mirabai, Vice President of MPCC, Minister Gonvidas Konthoujam, General Secretary of MPCC, MLA Victor Keishing, Dr Chaltonlein Amo, DK Korungthang, MLA N Biren were among other Congress Ministers, MLAs and workers who were present in paying floral tributes to Jawaharlal Nehru.

Comment