MLA sticks to district demand stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 09 2011: Terming it as undue interference, MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing has denounced the diktat of United Naga Council (UNC) to withdraw the demand for creation of Phungyar Assembly Constituency as a separate district headquarters as anti-development.

Talking to mediapersons today, Wungnaoshang Keishing, who is not only the MLA of Phungyar Assembly Constituency but also the convenor of Phungyar District Demand Committee, asserted that the demand for bifurcating Phungyar Assembly Constituency comprising of four sub-divisions from Ukhrul district for creation of a separate district has been placed before the Government in the interest of bringing about development for the people living in the remote border area.

It is not for joining with another State after Phungyar attains the status of a district.

Wungnaoshang pointed out that the area being covered by Phungyar Assembly Constituency is vast and the population is very large.

But the fund provided for developmental activities of the Assembly Constituency is so limited that no proper developmental works could be taken up for the welfare of the people.

Power tillers being distributed to Phungyar AC farmers

Moreover, on account of its remote location from Ukhrul district headquarters and the problem of road and communication, there have been people in Phungyar Assembly Constituency who died without seeing Ukhrul district headquarters in their lives, Wungnaoshang said, adding that creation of Phungyar Assembly Constituency into a full-fledged district would help in bringing about developmental changes in various fields, be it in education, health care, road and communication, etc.

So every possible efforts have to be made for realising the demand.

He further said that the Phungyar District Demand Committee has raised the demand for upgrading Phungyar Assembly Constituency into a district for overcoming the difficulties faced by the people and to ensure their democratic rights.

So, the diktat of UNC to withdraw the demand is surprising.

It is nothing but anti-development.

To a question on the possible impact of the UNC stand over the demand in the upcoming General elections to the State Assembly, Wungnaoshang categorically stated that it would have no impact on his politics nor in the election.

Whether one would succeed or not in the election lies in the hands of the voters, he added.

Meanwhile, under the objective of development of agriculture and allied activities Wungnaoshang also handed over 17 power tillers, 300 boxes to rear bees and 1000 secateurs to farmers of the assembly segment at his official quarter in Babupara today.

The agricultural equipment distributed along with a simple programme is informed to have been provided by the Union Ministry of Minorities Affairs under its Multi-sectoral Development Programme.

Addressing to beneficiaries of the cent percent provision by the Union Ministry, he conveyed that under a specific flagship programme of the UPA Government the items were made available to the farmers with special emphasis on areas where population of the minority community is substantial.

Handing over the items the MLA exuded confidence that with the provision hardships normally associated with agricultural activities would be alleviated and facilitate the farmers improve agricultural practices for a better future and livelihood.

Calling upon the beneficiaries for purposeful utilisation of the equipment Wungnaoshang also exhorted farmers of the hill areas to contribute their mite in ensuring food security.