NPF negates Joy's assertion
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 16 2011: The Manipur unit of Naga People's Front (NPF) said today that the comment of Manipur People's Party (MPP) leader O Joy on the former party was unfortunate.

On Friday, one of the local dailies in Imphal had quoted O Joy as saying, "NPF is a communal party and that the Nagaland Government and the NSCN-IM are behind it" .

Reacting to O Joy's comment today, Manipur unit NPF general secretary Kho John said, "Wind of change is sweeping across many parts of the world thereby putting an end to oppression and suppression.

Tyrannical and autocratic rules are drastically getting subdued particularly in the Middle East and West Asian countries.

"To New Delhi and the world, North-East India seems to be a remote and sensitive region, but to many experts, it is not without its potential and importance.

Taking this particular issue as most vital, the Naga Peoples' Front was formed so as to vouch for a common platform in the region and struggle together for a common destiny of its people for progress and prosperity through regional ideals", he said.

The Manipur unit NPF then stated that the expansion of this fledging and vibrant regional political party is just to consolidate a common platform for the Nagas as well as for the region and strive together for a change in the region by promoting peace and understanding and to develop socio-economic and cultural values on all fronts by jointly protecting and respecting each others' rights and aspirations.

It is in this backdrop that the expansion of NPF in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur is being welcomed by all particularly by the South Nagas.

In this regard, the NPF Manipur State Unit assured other like minded political parties of the region that, the NPF will go beyond mere electoral politics to broaden the relationship among the indigenous peoples through inter political party dialogue, the NPF said today.

"However, it is to the surprise of the NPF Manipur State Unit to come across in the local dailies of Imphal papers, in which one highly respected and veteran politician and a hardcore regionalist leader, Mr O Joy Singh has been repeatedly saying that, 'NPF is a communal party and that Nagaland Government and NSCN-IM are behind it' .

The repeated comment made by him is very unfortunate and unbecoming of him as he's been one of the senior most parliamentarians of the state.

The NPF expected a better gesture from a parliamentarian like him so that the party can also look upon him as regionalist guardian cutting across ethnic line.

"Besides, we also feel that the minds of the innocent masses should not be misguided or incited further with such comments in this deeply volatile and fragile ethnically divided state like Manipur," the NPF said.

The NPF Manipur State Unit then said it would also like to clarify once and for all that the NPF is purely a regional political party with the approval of the Election Commission of India and within the framework of the Indian Constitution.

As per the party's provision and purview, it can be expanded across the region or country like any other political parties of the region or country.

"Lastly, the NPF clarifies that, it has no nexus or link whatsoever with any underground or groups outside the Indian Constitution," it said.

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