Amid hectic preparations for the 18th Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Raphei Wungnao (RW), joined by representatives from 26 villages, on Monday (26 February, 2024) hosted a meeting with an intending candidate Timothy Zimik, igniting a sense of public engagement.
The event was held at Ngahui village under Chingai sub-division, about 47 km north of Ukhrul district headquarters.
It was an initiative by Raphei Wungnao, showcasing their commitment to the betterment of their community and their efforts to engage with political candidates to address the issues faced by the people. It also highlighted the importance of such interactions between the community and intending candidates for a more transparent and accountable political process.
On behalf of the association representing headmen of Raphei region, RW chairman Somi Kasomwo warmly welcomed Timothy Zimik and his wife Phungamla Zimik, and gifted them with traditional shawls as a mark of respect and honour.
He also expressed his gratitude for Zimik’s willingness to attend the meeting and engage with the local populace.
In his welcome address, Kasomwo explained that the meeting was initiated by Raphei Wungnao in order to provide a platform for the people to have a better understanding of Zimik’s vision and policies and to facilitate a public interaction between the local populace and the candidate.
The hill districts of Manipur have long been neglected by successive governments in the state. Despite being rich in natural resources, these areas continue to suffer from poverty and backwardness. This was highlighted by Timothy Zimik in his speech.
According to Zimik, the root cause of these issues is the continued disparity in budget allocation for the hill areas.
Stressing that human resources and land are important for the hill people, he urged the people to turn their lands into economic hotspots. “This will pave way for the economic upliftment of our people and help in addressing the issues of poverty and backwardness,” he suggested.
In his efforts to support the livelihood of the rural population, Zimik stated that he has already asked the state government to allocate a significant sum of Rs. 2000 crore for Agro Forest, horticulture, and other similar initiatives in the hill areas.
At the same time, Zimik emphasized the need to amend the Manipur Village Authority Act of 1956. He said that this act has various components irrelevant to the tribal customs and needs to be amended to bring about a more effective and efficient system of village administration.
He then called for a steady flow of funds from the government to village authorities, enabling them to carry out their responsibilities effectively and efficiently.
On the protracted Naga political issue, Zimik acknowledged the progress made towards finding a resolution, with all other issues contained in the Framework Agreement being resolved.
However, he noted that the Naga national flag and constitution are the only remaining contentious topics. He expressed his willingness to contribute towards finding a solution to this age-old issue, if he gets elected in the coming MP elections.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the meeting, Kasomwo further elaborated on the rationale behind organizing the event. He stated that the main objective was to invite Zimik for a personal visit to the Raphei region, so he could witness the backwardness and challenges faced by the local people.
Kasomwo emphasized that it was crucial for Zimik to experience the living conditions of the people firsthand, in order to fully comprehend the difficulties they face on a daily basis.
He also hoped that through the meeting, the association could provide insight into Zimik’s potential as a candidate, giving the local people the opportunity to make an informed decision on whether to support him or not.
“We want Zimik to see the reality of our lives and understand the issues that are plaguing our community. Only then can he truly understand our needs and work towards addressing them,” Kasomwo said.
He also highlighted that the meeting was held to provide an impartial platform for him to interact with the local populace and for the people to voice their concerns and expectations.
“We are pleased to observe that Zimik displayed genuine concern for the welfare of the people and has a strong energy to serve the people. We hope that this meeting will help the people to make an informed decision in the future,” Kasomwo added.
Interacting with the media, Kharingyo Shimrah, the vice president of Naga People’s Front (NPF) Ukhrul Division, stated that Zimik is one of the most deserving candidates who are currently vying for the party’s ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He said that the coming Lok Sabha elections are crucial for the Naga community and urged the people to support a candidate who will uphold the aspirations, identity and cause of the Nagas.
Shimrah highlighted the importance of choosing a candidate who can equally cater to the needs and interests of all communities in the outer Manipur constituency.
He stated that it is crucial for the Naga community to have a representative in the Lok Sabha who can effectively voice their concerns and work towards their development, while also fostering harmony among all communities in the state.
According to Shimrah, the impending delimitation process makes it a crucial juncture for the Nagas, and in such a scenario, it is the responsibility of the Nagas themselves to determine their future course of action.
“Our future is in our hands,” he said, and appealed to all Naga electorates to support a consensus candidate, regardless of their political party affiliation.
Echoing the sentiments of the NPF, Shimrah stated that the party will only extend support to the candidate who secures the party’s ticket and receives their blessings.
It was a well-attended meeting that drew hundreds of people from the region including headmen, chairmen and representatives from 26 out of 45 villages under Raphei Wungnao. NPF Ukhrul Division president C Shem, NPF Chingai Unit president Shimreingam Zimik and others also attended the meeting.
The event was punctuated by musical performances from popular Tangkhul singer Yarshim Wungsek and students of Credential Mission School, Ngahui.
The meeting concluded with discussions and an exchange of ideas between Zimik and the local populace. The public interactive session enabled the people to voice their opinions and concerns openly.
