Imphal, April 11 2009: Harping on Naga integration, PDA candidate in Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency Mani Charenamei has wooed voters of Phungyar Assembly segment asserting that until and unless an exclusive government for Nagas is constituted there can be no change/development in hills.

During an extensive election campaign covering interior areas like Kasom Khullen, Nambashi Khullen, Phungyar, Kamjong and Lambui in the last two days, Mani Charenamai said that the PDA is fighting the general elections to apprise the Government of India about underdeveloped and backward condition of the tribes of the North East on the floor of the Parliament with the objective to bring development in the backward regions.

Going on the offensive against the Government of Manipur, Charenamei blamed the State Government for not paying any attention to the various problems being endured by the hill people for a prolonged period.

He also accused the State Government of not working sincerely to bring development in the hills.

Until and unless the hill people form their own Government and the resources taken into their hands, there can be no real development in the hills, Mani Charenamei asserted.

Saying that the upcoming elections is not about party politics, but concerned more with the issue of land (territory), he said while exhorting the people to vote in favour of the PDA.

What the armed UG groups operating both in the hills and valley are demanding is from the Government of India and Government of Manipur but not because of any conflict or difference among ethnic groups, he observed.

Until a clear and pragmatic plan is worked out to solve the problem of insurgency, people will be facing more misery and hardships, the PDA candidate said.

Taking part in the election campaign for Mani Charenamei, former KSO GHqs president Poukam Haokip described Mani Charenamei as a leader of all ethnic groups of the hills.

He also claimed that the people of Churachandpur district will give their votes to the PDA candidate in good numbers.

PDA president S Maringa said that in case its candidate come out victorious in the Lok Sabha elections, the party would work to expedite the Indo-Naga peace process.

Noting that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act imposed in the hill districts to contain Naga insurgency movement has not been revoked yet, Maringa cautioned that people may once again face several forms of harassments and atrocities under the infamous Act in case the peace process breaks down.

He appealed to the people cast their votes in favour of the PDA candidate so as to avoid further sufferings and to highlight the Naga problem on the floor of the Parliament.

Exuding that the PDA candidate would certainly come out victorious, Phungyar AC MLA W Keishing claimed that non-Naga MLAs too have assured support to Mani Charenamei.

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