Bid to bring NE minorities under party fold

SHILLONG: Former spokesperson of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and ex-secretary of AICC Vichar Vibhag, Rejaul Karim Laskar on Thursday submitted a report to the All India Congress Committee on developing a strategy for attracting religious minorities towards the Congress.
Laskar submitted a 148-page report to the AICC after touring five states of the region and holding interactions with a number of prominent leaders including Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, Chief Minister of Mizoram and Pradesh Congres Committee (PCC) presidents of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
The report recommended creation of a ‘North East Congress Minority Coordination Committee’ (NECMCC) besides formation of a ‘North East Advisory Committee’, ‘Vigilance Committee’ in the minority department of each PCCs of the region and ‘Legal Aid Committee’ in the minority departments at the state and district levels in all the states of North East.
The report also recommended greater representation of Christians, belonging to the NE region, in the minority department besides proper representation to persons belonging to Donyi-Polo faith of Arunachal Pradesh, Sanamahi faith of Manipur, and Niam Khasi/Niamtre faith of Meghalaya in the Congress’ minority department.
The report also suggested appointing Christians as chairpersons of the minority departments of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram PCC.
The report further recommended holding of an “Annual North East Dialogue” by the AICC minority department.