Protestors stall Gaikhangam at Noney
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 08 2010: Tension ran high at Longmai (Noney) Bazar today with some protestors trying to prevent MPCC president Gaikhangam from attending a workers' conference of the Congress party there.

He was halted for almost one hour.

Later on, addressing the workers' conference, Gaikhangam said that Congress party does not believe in violence but in resolving any problem through peaceful talks.

Earlier in the morning, Gaikhangam led a team of party leaders including Chairman of Tamenglong ADC Soihem Hoamei, Chairman of Sadar Hills ADC Seipu and other members of the two ADCs to inaugurate a community hall at Longmai Bazar.

Gaikhangam being welcomed and protestors blocking the road at Noney

After inauguration of the community hall constructed under BRGF, Gaikhangam, who is also the MLA of Nungba A/C, was going toward the venue of the workers' conference when around 50 to 60 protestors stopped him.

The workers' conference was organised in connection with his appointment as the president of MPCC for the second consecutive terms as well as the 125th anniversary of Indian National Congress.

As the protestors started raising slogans, all the shops in Longmai Bazar and its surrounding areas pulled down their shutters.

Not long after that, supporters of Gaikhangam and others who had come to attend the conference came out leading to a heated argument followed by shoving and pushing between the supporters and the protestors.

As the police personnel who were on duty in the area were trying hard to control the situation, police commandos who were escorting loaded trucks from Jiribam arrived and brought the situation under control.

Only after the protestors were dispersed, Gaikhangam and other VIPs could attend the conference.

Addressing the conference, Gaikhangam said that his party does not believe in violence but in peaceful resolution of any problem through talks.

Stating that the confrontation that was witnessed between two groups of people just a while ago was akin to family matter, Gaikhangam said that the ruckus was created by some people over denial tickets in the ADC election and false allegation of misusing the fund for Longmai Bazar Board and NREGS.

It was all due to misunderstanding and for Congress party, it was a good opportunity to build up unity, Gaikhangam said.

He observed that there is nothing wrong for the people to stage protest demonstration along the National Highway 53 to raise their demands.

But National Highways should not be blocked.

Instead, people settled on either side of the highway should ensure protection of the people travelling along the highway.

Imposing blockade is nothing but cutting our own food supply.

Speaking of Congress party, Gaikhangam said that it is an old party which has stood the test of time.

Believing in the ideologies of the Congress party, today there has been onrush of people to become party members.

Recalling that there was a crisis within the party over issuance of tickets for ADC election, Gaikhangam informed that a meeting of the party's Ticket Committee would be convened within the next couple of days so that the names of the nominee candidates for the upcoming Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats could be announced soon.

On development, Gaikhangam, existence of Congress led UPA Government at the Centre and SPF Government in the State as well as unity of purpose between the party and the Government have helped in expediting the developmental activities.