IMPHAL, Apr 15: The Indian National Congress has eluded Manipur specific issues from including in its manifesto, said director Human Rights Alert (HRA), Babloo Loitongbam today.
Addressing media persons today at the HRA office, Babloo said there is no specific actions in the manifesto in regards to AFSPA; controlling armed conflict in the state; protecting land and natural resources; developing education system; policies for the unemployed youths of Manipur; development of water, electricity and road; welfare of the health.
On March 6, the HRI was joined by several civil society organisations to analyse the election manifestos of the political parties for the 16th Lok Sabha Election, he continued.
Unfortunately, there is no Manipur specific manifesto of the Indian National Congress, he charged.
Even though the Outer constituency has already entered poll, while the inner constituency waits to go to the poll on April 17, the party’s election manifesto is not available at the MPCC office, he lamented.
This has only affected the people’s trust towards the party, he continued.
During the analysis of the different manifestoes it was found that on the AFSPA issue, all political parties entering the fray for the inner seat have highlighted to work for removal of the Act, he said.
While all other parties included the removal of AFSPA from the state, CPI has also included saving the life of Irom Chanu Sharmila, in its manifesto, he said.
Independent candidate Indira has said she will give special attention to AFSPA, he concluded.
While the BJP, in its manifesto has decided to find a resolution of ethnic difference, the AAP decided to skip the issue, while the CPI has said it will pressurise the central government for an amicable political settlement, he said and added that the Trinamool Congress has said it will find an amicable solution to the armed insurgents through political dialogue, Baloo said.
The AAP has said that it will lift the ban on government employment, while the BJP said it will launched massive employment scheme for unemployed; the CPI has said it will implement a special policy for employmeny of education youths and provide unemployment allowance, while independent candidate Indira has highlighted creation of SHGs, he said.
On the health issue, the AAP has said it will enact law to check predatory commercialization of health care services; BJP said it will bring super specialty medical facilities and Indira talked about creation of children parks at appropriate places.
The conference was also attended by general secretary, Senior Citizen for Society, L Sadananda; convener, Peoples Campaign for Resurgent Manipur, B Deben; deputy director, Centre for Organization Research and Education, Pamei; state coordinator, Sustainable Livelihood Forum Manipur, Laishram Meissiah.