NPF is for every Naga: Dr Shürhozelie

February 20, 2022 46 Views No Comment

February 20, 2022
Correspondent

Naga People’s Front (NPF) president Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu reiterated that NPF is a political party for every Naga as it was formed with the objective of bringing an early solution to the Naga issue.

He was speaking at the combined campaign meeting for three NPF candidates– Leishiyo Keishing (43 Phungyar A/C), Ram Muivah (44 Ukhrul A/C ) and and K Vashum (45 Chingai A/C), contesting the upcoming Manipur Assembly polls, at Ukhrul district headquarters on Saturday.

Pressing on the virtue of NPF, Dr. Shürhozelie questioned how any Naga should join some other political parties, that have no obligation or commitment to resolve any of the pressing issues when there is a political party committed to work for the Nagas?.

According to Dr. Shürhozelie, joining other political parties was a “misadventure”. The NPF president recalled the day that NPF was launched in Manipur State on May 28, 2011. Dr. Shürhozelie said he was filled with emotion and was moved to tears as he unfurled the party flag.

While acknowledging that Nagas were yet to see geographical integration, yet he pointed out that the people across state borders were politically integrated through NPF.

According to the NPF president, within eight months of the launch of NPC in Manipur, four of its candidates contested in the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election and came out victorious.

However, when the Manipur assembly passed some bills, that went against NPF’s ideals, Dr. Shürhozelie said the four MLAs resigned following party’s directives. In the subsequent 11th Manipur Assembly election, he said three of those four MLAs lost to Congress candidates.

“This was a big blunder as the people had voted the very party (Congress) which was working against the interest of the Naga people to bring it right back to power and completely forgot the sacrifices made by the four NPF MLAs in the preceding term.

Dr. Shürho also urged upon the gathering to go out and tell others to avoid making the same blunder of voting for those people who were against the interest of the Nagas.

He also said that though NPF was supporting the BJP-led government in Manipur, there was no written commitment with BJP.

He also reminded that the NPF had saved Biren Singh-led government on two occasions and it would continue if things go well.

The NPF president said that his presence at Ukhrul may not make too much of a difference to the election, but requested the Tangkhul leaders to take note of the party that was working in the interest of the Nagas.

Earlier, NPF MLA, Y Vikheho Swu, in his short speech, said that NPF was working for peace and peaceful coexistence.

He pointed out that the party ever since its inception and through the transitions at different point in time had been working for the Nagas. Swu said that the party had taken up the Naga issue as one of its core objectives after it got rechristened as Naga People’s Front way back in 2003.
He said the party was against the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (AFSPA) in the Northeast.

He said the Act had caused untold miseries in both Manipur and Nagaland with the latest Oting incident wherein 14 innocent civilians were killed.
In his short speech, NPF MLA, Chotisuh Sazo, said the party speak and works for the Nagas and to bring peace to Naga inhabited lands.

He pointed that the four NPF MLAs—Losü Dikho, Awangbo Newmai, Leishiyo Keishing and Khashim Vashum—were doing well on their part in Manipur Assembly and had defended the tribal people in many areas.
Sazo said that they had also played a vital role in facilitating the “Indo-Naga” political issue and had also maintained the regional principle as NPF members.

NPF secretary general, Achumbemo Kikon, in his short speech, said the love for Naga people and NPF had brought together the gathering. He said the party was working to secure a future for the people. He pointed out that NPF had enshrined in its constitution to work for a peaceful and honourable solution to the Naga issue, adding that the party would “not deviate from this fact.”

The campaign programme was compered by CS Chonchui and RS Ningreichon.

Zingtoze Baptist Church pastor, Rev Thanreiso Kasar invoked God’s blessings while Langdang Phungcham Baptist Church pastor, Rev Ramyothing Phungshok offered the benediction.

NPF Senapati division president, Soni Matthew was the moderator while Manipur state unit working president and Ukhrul division incharge Paul Muinao delivered the welcome address.

Special numbers were presented by N Yursari Kasomwoshi while NPF Ukhrul Division president, AS Wungnaoshang proposed the vote of thanks.

Source: https://www.nagalandpost.com/index.php/npf-is-for-every-naga-dr-shurhozelie/