Neiphiu Rio to decide on formation of stable government in centre
DIMAPUR: The North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) held a meeting at Guwahati, Assam on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by the NERPF chief, Neiphiu Rio and was attended by all affiliates from the north eastern states. Some of the parties who participated in the meeting were the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP), the United Democratic Party (UDP) from Meghalaya, the Manipur People’s Party (MPP), the Naga People’s Front (NPF) from Nagaland, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA), the Mizo National Front (MNF), the Indigenous People’s Font of Tripura (IPFT) and the Hill State Democratic Party (HSDP).
The welcome address was delivered by Co-Convenor Atul Bora and the aim of the meeting and report was given by NERPF Secretary, Abu Metha.
In his address, AGP president and former chief minister of Assam, PK Mahanta assured all possible help and assistance of the AGP to strengthen the regional front. He highlighted the problems of illegal immigrants and influx of Bangladeshis into the region and also the opposition of the people towards transfer of land to Bangladesh.
The NERPF Chief, Neiphiu Rio in his address extended appreciation to all affiliates of the front for the joint manner in which the elections were fought and called for continuous unity and solidarity of the regional forces even after the election process is over. “We should learn how to co-exist and overcome and appreciate each other’s difficulties” he said, adding, “The front needs to combine our forces together and raise a common voice.”
He reiterated his full commitment to work for the people of the region and said that he would leave no stone unturned to strengthen the front.
In its resolutions, the NERPF unanimously empowered its chief Neiphiu Rio to take decision towards formation of a stable government in the centre.
The front also expressed appreciation to Rio for his yeoman service to the NERPF and appreciated his extensive election campaign that covered six states of the region.
The front further endorsed the leadership of Rio as the most recognized leader of the north eastern region.
It further welcomed the National People’s Party under PA Sangma’s leadership, who had joined the front formally on Tuesday.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Keshab Mahanta, coordinator of the NERPF.
It can be recalled here that Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Naga People’s Front (NPF), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party of Meghalaya (HSPDPM), the Manipur People’s Party (MPP), Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP), Manipur Democratic People’s Front (MDPF), Mizo National Front (MNF), People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA)and Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) are the ten political parties that have formed the NERPF on October 20 last year in Guwahati.
It is worthwhile to note here that safeguarding of cultural, social, political and economic rights of the people of the region and to continuously strive to protect the distinctive identifies of the ethnic tribes and of all the people of the region are some of the objectives of the NERPF.
Other important agendas of NERPF are that all illegal migrants from Northeast region be deported, reservation of 80 per cent jobs for locals in government and private sectors, implementation of the look east policy, rebuilding a portion of the historic Stillwell road, a rethink on AFSPA and similar issues reflecting the local sentiments.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio is the convenor of the front while former Assam chief minister and leader of Prafulla Mahanta is the chief advisor.