'UMAA demands Congress candidature of Jiten Singha for Lakhipur'

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Jan 10: The Manipuris have been working tirelessly for the welfare of the state of Assam but are yet to get their due share in the welfare schemes launched by the state government. The Manipuri society has always voted for the Congress party for the past fifteen years. Moreover, in many constituencies including Hojai, Dispur, East Guwahati, Lakhipur, Borkhola, Silchar, Soi, Dholai, Hailakandi and Patharkandi, the voters from the community pay a pivotal role in making the Congress party candidates victorious in elections.

Though the community has always voted for the party, it has always been deprived from a majority of developmental and welfare schemes. Jiten Singha, chairman of Manipuri development council of Assam, should be given the Congress candidature for the ensuing elections. Singha has been working tirelessly for the welfare of the community. These were among the points stated in a memorandum submitted to Tarun Gogoi by the members of United Manipuri Association, Assam (UMAA) recently.

E Manitomba Singha, secretary of UMAA, said that the party in the past had offered the ticket for Lakhipur constituency to Mera Chouba Singha and Subhankar Singha who the elections successfully and retained the seat for the party. But, after the subsequent delimitation of assembly constituencies, the mes of around 7,000 voters belonging to the community were shifted to the adjoining constituencies of Soi and Udharbond. Singha said that it was done by a certain section of political leaders to weaken the political future of the community for their vested interests.

A majority of the people belonging to the community are extremely poor and aggrieved. The members further said that the community has progressed tremendously under the chairmanship of Jinen Singha. They further impressed upon the Chief Minister to extend the tenure of Jiten Singha as chairman for another term. They also demanded that Jiten Singha should be installed as an office bearer of APCC to represent the community. E Manitomba Singha said that the community has always served the party selflessly but has been deprived politically time and again.

The members of UMAA urged upon the Chief Minister to provide the party ticket of Lakhipur constituency in favour of Jiten Singha to fulfill the long aspirations of the Manipuri community. It should be mentioned here that Manipuris are the biggest community in Lakhipur constituency. The total population of the Manipuri community in the state is around 7.62 lakh, out of which about 70% reside in Barak Valley. The memorandum was signed by E Manitomba Singha. The demand has been supported by Aikyo Mancha Lakhipur and All Assam Meira Paibe Coordition Committee.