NPCC delegation visits state on goodwill mission
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 26 2010: A delegation of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee arrived here, in Imphal, today for a brief visit to the state by road on its "goodwill mission", called on with the Chief Minister O Ibobi and state Congress chief Gaikhangam.

Before concluding the visit of the NPCC delegation, a joint appealed was also made to the people of both the states to remain calm and not to believe in rumours which will amount to create communal disharmony.

Congress in Nagaland and Manipur has resolved to work together and ease the grievances facing by the people of the two neighbouring states in the wake of ban on the movement of Manipur vehicles in Nagaland imposed by the Nagaland Students' Federation (NSF) coupled with one and half month long economic blockade of ANSAM on the national highways.

Funtionaries of NPCC and MPCC at the Congress Bhavan in Imphal

The delegation of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee led by its president I Imkong comprised MLA Tokhcho Sema, leader of the opposition in Nagaland Legislative Assembly, MLA Joshua Sema, ex-MLA Yamkithong Lotha, general secretary of the NPCC Medokhul Angami and MLA Taric Zeliang.

They traveled the whole stretch of the NH-39 in three vehicles with security escort provided by a combined team of state IRB and central paramilitary forces and arrived here at about 10.30 am and left the state capital in the afternoon for Kohima.

As soon as they arrived here in Imphal, the delegation directly proceeded to the Chief Minister's bungalow and held a meeting with the Manipur Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh.

Another round of meeting with the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) Gaikhangam and state party leaders reviewed the inter-state relationship between the two neighbouring states which can be considered in bad shape.

NPCC president, I Imkong who refused to give reply to various questions to reporters waiting for them at the CM bungalow gate said "We are coming here on goodwill, to share the concerns of the public to the government" .

The delegation also did not clearly mentioned on what matter they discussed with the state chief minister, O Ibobi but later after meeting with his counterpart MPCC president Gaikhangam, Imkong said that NPCC and MPCC have decided to work together for peace and harmony among the people of the two states.

The delegation held a round of meeting with the MPCC president, Gaikhangam at Imphal Congress Bhavan for about one hour.

Other leaders of the MPCC also took part in the meeting.

Later, in a joint briefing to the media, MPCC president Gaikhangam said that the delegation is coming to the state to discuss the woes facing by the people of both neighbouring states following total stoppage of cross border movement at Mao gate on the NH-39 due to the indefinite economic blockade in Manipur section coupled with total ban on Manipur vehicles in Nagaland by the Naga Students' Federation.

After return from there, "We will appraise the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary (of Nagaland) on the matter and find an alternative means," Imkong said.

Feasibility of dropping passengers by Nagaland vehicles upto the border and lifting of the passengers from there by Manipur vehicles would be suggested to the chief minister and chief secretary, he said.

Party workers of both the states have also unanimously agreed to take the help of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) in easing the prevailing situation in the two states, he said.

They will pursue to the two religious bodies to work jointly and find a way to bring an end to the prevailing situations, MPCC president Gaikhagam supplementing to the statement of the Imkong said.

"We will pursue officially to the two bodies," he added.

While briefing the reporters at Congress Bhavan, the two chiefs on behalf of the Congress appealed to the people of both the state to be calmed and not to indulge in the activities which would create misunderstanding to the people so that peace and tranquility of the people be breached.