NPF will lead new Govt formation in state: Samuel Risom
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, December 14 2021: Central Naga People's Front (NPF) working president Samuel Risom expressed confidence that the party will be leading the formation of the new government in the state, stating that "anyone who supports the party won't face defeat" .

"Our party will win absolute majority in the coming general elections.

We will lead the formation of the next government in Manipur so anyone who supports NPF party won't regret or face defeat," Risom said addressing a gathering at 'Sokhami Ranyei' (blessing ceremony) held at Ilongshim Hungpung village.

The ceremony was organised by Hungpung Village Authority (HVA) as a mark of collective blessing of the village on Risom's electoral venture to contest the forthcoming Assembly Elections 2022 from Ukhrul assembly constituency.

In a ritual of blessing for Risom, a total of Hanga (VA members) from 32 clans of Hungpung village led by headman Wungngayung Peter invoked the divine favour and grace for his triumph in the coming elections Risom, who is also ex-NPF MLA, continued that the regional political party is hopeful of securing at least 12 seats in the states hill districts by fielding as many as 15 candidates of its own in the coming elections.

Drawing a distinction between NPF and other political parties, he said that while the vision of NPF is to protect the Nagas and tribals, the other political parties are out to destroy them (tribals) .

"The recent Oting incident is a case in point.

The highly trained Indian commandos were supposed to defend the country against military adversaries from the outside.

But here in the Northeast region, they targeted and killed innocent coal miners.

What a shame!" he said.

Risom further contended that instead of feeling sorry for the act, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tried to cover up the crime by making up fictitious claims like 'MistakenIdentity,' 'Failed Intelligence' and blame it on the innocent victims.

"Will you still vote for such political parties?" he asked.

Risom also informed that NPF intending candidates conform to the party principles.

"No matter how many NPF candidates are there to seek the party ticket, we all are unanimous to support the ones who the party feels best to represent it" .

Speaking on the occasion, UADC caretaker chairman Dr Yaronsho Ngalung recalled that Samuel Risom is among those party leaders who have made immense contributions to the growth of the party in Manipur.

"He is a founding member of NPF.

He was one of those party leaders who worked hard for the party that resulted in its entry in the state back in 2011," he said.

Dr Ngalung then urged the NPF high command to consider the track records of every intending candidate in order to ensure that the party ticket is awarded to the most deserving ones.

In his speech, NPF Ukhrul Division general secretary Kharingyo Shimrah said that prior to the entry of NPF in Manipur, the then ruling Congress had a free hand in executing things according to its whim.

"It was during that period the Manipur Assembly had passed three contentious bills, namely the 'Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015', the 'Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill- 2015', and the 'Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill-2015'.These bills were aimed'to ruin the tribals and their lands and resources.

But then, four NPF MLAs thwarted the passage of three bills," he recounted.

Shimrah said that Risom was one of them who resigned along with three other NPF MLAs Dikho, Alexander Pou and Nunghlung Victor in the larger interest of the tribal communities.

He went on to state that NPF is also the only political party that'openly supports the Naga political movement and the ongoing peace talks to find a final settlement which no other political parties do.

"For all these, NPF remains the best option for our people," he said.

"Let's join hands and work together in support of our own candidate so we shall overcome.

This is the collective will of Hungpung village," headman Peter exhorted his villagers.

He urged his villagers to keep the village interest above self-interest and not to work for any vested interests just to get certain monetary gains during the elections.

Around 1000 people including former ADC members HS Ngamsung, Thanchipem Jagoi and HA Vareishang and representatives of NPF Ukhrul Division, intending NPF candidates (ADC Elections), public leaders, headmen from neighbouring villages and residents from different Hungpung localities attended the event.

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