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Candidates from 24th Angetyongpang assembly constituency in Mokokchung district, and pastors and volunteers of Langpangkong students' Clean Election campaign share in a group photograph after the Town Hall meeting at Longkong village in the district. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our correspondent
Mokokchung, February 15(EMN): A Town Hall meeting for five candidates from 24th Angetyongpang assembly constituency (AC) was held in Longkong village Baptist Church in Mokokchung. The Town Hall meeting—or, locally in Nagaland, so-termed "common platform"—for political candidates to explain their programmes to citizens. The event was organised under the aegis of the Langpangkong Students Conference and Langpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang Clean Election Campaign Committee (LKMCECC).
Taking the stage, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Supongwati emphasised on what he called the lack of proper medical and educational institutions especially in Phangsang area. He highlighted also the 'pathetic road condition' in the area and for which the economy of the area had been affected adversely. He promised that if voted to the seat, he would work for the welfare of the constituency's people.
Janata Dal (U) candidate Sashimar Jamir pointed to what he said was 'disparity of social classes.' He assured to 'bridge the gap by working for the downtrodden.'
Asserting that Angetyongpang area was one of the most-backward constituency in Nagaland with 'no scope' for youths to put their skills to earning livelihoods, he promised, if elected, to set up a core committee comprising young scholars, intellectuals and professionals from various fields to 'identify areas where young people can tap into resources and work towards self-sustenance.'
He promised likewise to set up a committee in partnership with village education committees to identify bright students from poor families and drop-out students. He assured to start a special programme that would give financial assistance and special tuition to the needy students.
Coming to the subject of agriculture, he said that in other Indian states there were farmers richer than the average Naga gazette officer. If elected, he promised to make Angetyongpang a 'wholesale farming hub' by properly using resources from the area through various government schemes and private investing agencies.
That said, he requested his opponents that whoever may win they ought not to forget the welfare of Angetyongpang. He urged them to work for the overall development of the area.
In his address, Naga People's Front candidate S Chuba Longkumer assured to continue working for the grassroot and work for the development of the area 'in transparency.' He requested the people of Angetyongpang not to forge enmity among themselves for the sake of politics when supporting their candidates. There are neither permanent enemies nor friends in politics, he said.
If re-elected, Longkumer assured to construct an 'economic road' and meet at the earliest the aspiration of Phangsang to be made into an extra assistant commissioner headquarter.
Also, independent candidate Tongpang Ozukum said that if elected to power, he would stand representing not only the people of Angetyongpang but the Naga people in general. He was of the opinion that the seat of Angetyongpang was prestigious and anointed by God. It belongs to the Naga people as a whole, he said. If elected ,he vowed to respect the seat and responsibilities that comes along with it for the welfare of the people.
Giving his promise to work for the grass-root, Ozukum, a former student leader said," I came from a humble family and I still have not forgotten my roots so I know every sufferings of the common people and so I can connect with you in every possible ways."
In his speech, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party's candidate Alemtemshi Jamir highlighted the manifesto of the party. He said that the NDPP party was determined to 'make a good Nagaland through good governance, through deeds and not empty promises in transparency with accountability.'
If voted to power, the former government officer assured, he would provide for special training and coaching opportunities to students of the area 'without bias.' He said that the party was championing the cause of women empowerment and had shown through 'their deed' by awarding the party's ticket to a woman in Mon district.
Further, Jamir promised to change the face of the agricultural sector by introducing modern systems of agriculture production 'through scientific means' by tapping into various government and private schemes.
The LKMCECC made all the candidates to sign a pledge to work in the spirit of 'clean' elections. Later in the programme pastors from Angetyongpang said prayers for the candidates.