Agatha to raise AFSPA issue in Delhi



Imphal, June 17: Agatha Sangma, Union minister of states for Rural Development Wednesday assured the people of Manipur she would approach the Union Home minister of India for repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, AFSPA, 1958 from the state. She also asserted she would bring the issue on the floor of the Parliament.

On a two-day visit to the state for the closing ceremony of the 11th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) at the GM Hall in Imphal, the youngest union minister in the recently formed union ministry of India, stated she represented the whole of North East and not just Meghalaya and she would approach the Union Home Minister of India and the Parliament to repeal the AFSPA, 1958 from the state.

Addressing the ceremony as the chief guest, she also assured the people of Manipur the NCP would fight for the repeal of the draconian law.

Confirming she represented the whole North East, the young minister asserted the region can draw a lot of benefit for the upliftment of the poor rural people if the schemes and grants of the Rural Development ministry is taken up and implemented sincerely.

She observed that the schemes and grants given by the Government of India were not taken up and implemented in earnest by the governments of the north-eastern states and the attitude of the governments were laid-back, seeming to lack seriousness.

She also stated that development will bring solution to the insurgency problem in the north east.

Later, speaking to the media, the union minister said that she and her party, NCP, supported the protest of Irom Chanu Sharmila who has been fasting unto death demanding the removal of the AFSPA. Doukhomang Khongsai, general secretary of NCP Manipur, stated that with three NCP ministers in the union government – Praful Patel (Civil Aviation), Sharad Pawar (Agriculture) and Agatha Sangma (Rural Development) – progress and development can be expected in Manipur within a short time.

The young daughter of PA Sangma, former MP and Lok Sabha speaker, who arrived in the state at about 9:15 a.m. was received was received at Tulihal airport by Radhabinod Koijam, president of NCP and former chief minister of Manipur, Md. Alauddin, minister of Backward Classes, Manipur and other high level officials.

After her arrival, the young MP from Tura in Meghalaya visited the “Iron Lady” Irom Chanu Sharmila, who has been fasting unto death demanding the revocation of the draconian act AFSPA 1958, at the security ward of the Jawaharlal Nehru (JN) Hospital, Porompat in Imphal East district, Wednesday and assured her support for the repeal of the draconian law from the state of Manipur.

During her short visit, the MoS told Sharmila that she wanted to personally see how she (Sharmila) was, and encourage her to be strong. She assured Sharmila that she would help her in every way she can to repeal AFSPA from Manipur and other North-East states. The MOS, RD, India also met the Governor of Manipur, Chief Minister of Manipur, the Rural Development Minister and the Health Minister, Manipur later in the evening.

Source: Newmai News Network

Another Story:
The new Union minister of state for rural development, Agatha Sangma, today called on governments in the region to play a “proactive role” in implementing schemes in the Northeast sponsored by the Centre.

Sangma arrived here this morning to attend 11th Foundation Day of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) organised by the state unit of the party at the G.M. Hall here. This is her first visit to Manipur after becoming a minister.

“My mission is to build the economy of the region without affecting cultural heritage. I will play the agent of monitoring rural development schemes. The state governments and implementing agencies should extend their help,” Sangma said.

Attributing the problem of insurgency in the region to a lack of development, the minister said her next priority would be to channelise the energies of the youths towards development activities.

Sangma said she would also pay attention to capacity building through proper implementation of centrally sponsored schemes. “I will try to visit every nook and corner of the Northeast to ensure that the rural development schemes are implemented. Implementing agencies would be made accountable,” she said.

Before addressing the party function, Sangma visited Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital to meet human rights crusader Irom Sharmila, who is in judicial custody. “I wanted to meet such a courageous lady and show solidarity with her,” Sangma said.

During her interaction with Sharmila, Agatha assured her that the issue of repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act would be raised in Parliament.

Later this afternoon she met Governor Gurbachan Jagat and chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh.

Source: The Telegraph

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