Congress will retain power in 4 ADCs : Dy CM 'No camps but noted areas'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 03 2015 :
Notwithstanding all the threats and subversive activities, Congress will still retain power in four Autonomous District Councils, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated categorically.
Briefing a team of media persons at Wangoi today, Gaikhangam maintained that the cease fire pact between India and NSCN-IM does not cover Manipur and there is no designated camp of the rebel outfit within the territory of Manipur.
On being asked about the discovery of NSCN-IM's camps at Ukhrul and possible presence of similar camps in Chandel, Tamenglong and Senapati, Gaikhangam claimed that they are not designated camps but 'noted' areas.
The State Government has been continuously exerting pressure on the Government of India to remove all these 'noted' areas from Manipur.
On being enquired about the much anticipated solution to the protracted political dialogue between GoI and NSCN-IM and its likely impact on Manipur, Gaikhangam stated that the State Government still stands firm by its decision not to allow any political arrangement which goes against the collective interest of the people of Manipur.
Gaikhangam went on, "We welcome any solution achieved through political dialogue but no new issues should be bred in the name of resolving one issue" .
Referring to the protracted political dialogue between GoI and NSCN-IM, the Deputy Chief Minister asserted that any solution worked out by the two parties should not infringe upon the collective interest of the people of Manipur.
Talking about the forthcoming ADC polls, Gaikhangam claimed that Congress would retain power in four ADCs out of the total six.
The party is not confident enough for two ADCs not because Congress has grown weaker but on account of persistent threats by some elements.
Voters of Senapati and Ukhrul are being intimidated and put under strong pressure.
Even if the voters are very much against such pressure tactics,they may be compelled to vote in favour of their 'named candidates' for fear of reprisal.
Apart from threatening the incumbent ADC Members not to seek re-election, those elements have also put a rider that all these people aspiring to contest the election should be endorsed by the public in advance.
Another condition imposed by the group is that no one should fight the ADC election on Congress tickets, Gaikhangam elaborated.
"Because of these restrictions and threats, we are reducing the figure to four ADCs from the total six", Gaikhangam stated.
Launching a broadside attack against the BJP Government led by Narendra Modi, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the BJP Government's rendezvous with the North East has turned out to be a hoax and this has been testified by the removal of special category status from all the North Eastern States.
With the abolition of schemes like SPA, SCA, NLCPR etc which provided substantial financial assistance to the North Eastern States, around Rs 1500 crore has been forfeited.
Since the BJP-led NDA came to power at the Centre, police modernization programme has been stalled completely even though Manipur has been facing serious issue of insurgency and many other problems related to law and order.
The NDA Government's Act East Policy has been rendered meaningless in the North East region as all kinds of financial assistance given to these revenue-starved States have been terminated.
Commenting on the Gwaltabi incident, Gaikhangam remarked that the violent conflict was incited by some divisive elements.
It was not a result of enmity between hill people and plain people.
On being enquired about the involvement of police personnel in criminal activities, Gaikhangam asserted that responsibilities would be fixed on police officers leading police teams in case there is any case of loss of vehicles from where they are deployed.
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