NPF Manipur : Congress uneasy with election tours of ‘charismatic Rio’

EMN
DIMAPUR APRIL 3

NAGALAND’S charismatic Chief Minister description of Congress leaders as “Professional Liars” has again proved right about Thangso Baite. The Manipur NPF media unit in a press release said Baite in an election campaign cum public meeting at Moreh Trade Centre on Tuesday misled voters by claims that “He has brought the 500 Crore ‘NORCOM Project’ in Chandel and Churachandpur with the intervention of Sonia Gandhi for the development of Manipuri people” as reported in Imphal Free Press on 2nd April, 2014. The fact is the project is funded by the North Eastern Council. Out of the total amount of Rs.540 crore earmarked for Phase-III of the project, Manipur’s share will be Rs. 216 crore only and not Rs. 500 crore as claimed by Thangso Baite.
NPF would like to ask a simple question to Thangso Baite if “Myanmar Army’s 87 Light Infantry which was found laying groundwork for its platoon base camp in Holenphai, a frontier village, that Myanmar claims is within their territory” on a 10-km border fencing on the Indo-Myanmar in Chandel district is not actually an international border issue? The press release expressed concern over the sitting MP’s reference to the above incident on which he remarked that “there is no complaint as such from both Myanmar and India in the dispute”.
However, what Baite has to remember is that, that portion of land belongs to the tribals of Manipur especially Nagas and Kukis. And Baite is reminded of the fact that because of such casual manner in which he handles tribal issues, like gifting away the tribal lands like Kabo Valley to Burma in the past should not be repeated.
NPF makes it a point that lands of the tribal communities can never be sold out or compromised at any cost by the Government without the consent and knowledge of the owner of the lands. In this regard, Hill Areas Committee should be properly consulted as this issue relates to the tribals of Manipur.
Undoubtedly, Congress is suffering from fear a psychosis and feels threatened due to the continuous visits of Neiphiu Rio, CM of Nagaland and Convenor of North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) to Manipur for election campaign for SOSO LORHO, NPF candidate to the 16th Lok Sabha Election, 2014 from II-Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency.
Chief Minister of Manipur O.Ibobi Singh and host of Congress leaders including Thangso Baite are full of anxiety and nervousness because of the fact that Neiphiu Rio and NPF party have started pointing out the negligence, exploitations and discrimination of the tribals and minorities by the Manipur Government.
Unity, integrity and brotherhood are not only words spoken by Neiphiu Rio but they are an expression for “emotional integration”.
Transforming various tribal issues including the Naga issue does not amount to creating unhappiness among the people. NPF the press release states has no hidden agenda as it believes in the welfare of the tribals, minorities and struggling communities.
The statement also alleges that it was highly unbecoming of the Chief Minister of Manipur, O. Ibobi Singh to connive with Shambhu Singh, Joint Secy (NE) MHA to scuttle the election campaign of NPF star campaigner Neiphiu Rio in Tamenglong for NPF candidate SOSO LORHO.