UKHRUL: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) 43-Phungyar (ST) Assembly Constituency on Wednesday held a massive village units committee meeting in Imphal. The meeting was held at the Lamphel quarters of sitting MLA Leishiyo Keishing with more than 700 village-level party leaders and functionaries in attendance.
The gathering was attended by village unit leaders, former Autonomous District Council (ADC) members, party functionaries and MLAs, and focused on strengthening the party organisation and consolidating its support base in the constituency.
Addressing the gathering, the former ADC member and incumbent Phungyar constituency president expressed gratitude to the participants and called for greater unity within the party. Acknowledging shortcomings, he said the party must consolidate its organisation and move forward collectively.
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Several NPF leaders who spoke at the meeting stressed the need for unity, organisational strengthening and continued support for the party.
Rockson Kashung, vice-president of the Youth Wing of the Manipur State Unit, described village units as the “backbone” of the party and called for greater representation of youth in the organisation. He also sought policy initiatives focused on the welfare of young people and the wider community.
Former Tangkhul Naga Aze Longphang Somi Angkang said the NPF was more important than any individual candidate. Women unit leader Sylvia Kashung echoed the view, stating that the forthcoming election should be viewed in the context of protecting rights rather than merely pursuing development. She called for experienced leadership at the present juncture and urged the party leadership to take corrective measures while seeking continued public support.
Former ADC member Wungreiyo Ningshen said the NPF was formed to uphold Naga rights and referred to difficult periods in Naga history to underline the party’s role. He also explained the significance of the rooster as the party symbol, describing it as a symbol of awakening.
Former ADC member Samson Khodang highlighted the tenure of MLA Leishiyo Keishing, stating that although he had been elected twice, his actual opportunity to serve was limited to around four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and President’s Rule in the state.
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Khodang also highlighted the MLA’s humanitarian activities, including his reported role in the rescue of 21 Tangkhul civilians allegedly abducted at Litan earlier this year. He urged the people to continue supporting the incumbent MLA, saying that no public representative could satisfy everyone.
MSU general secretary Honreikhui Kashung described the NPF as a political platform for the Nagas and urged party workers to remain steadfast and reject what he termed propaganda against the party. He said the NPF remained an important regional force in Manipur politics and stressed the need for a strong regional party.
Former ADC chairman of Tamenglong Ngamsinrei Panmei said the NPF was the only party, in his view, consistently standing for the cause of the Nagas. He alleged that other political parties were dependent on their central leadership and urged party workers to maintain their confidence in MLA Leishiyo Keishing.
Deputy Home Minister Losii Dikho, who could not attend the meeting, conveyed his appreciation and encouragement to the MLA and party workers through a message. He said the NPF carried a major responsibility in efforts to restore peace in Manipur, adding that the suffering of the people should not continue.
Dikho also praised Leishiyo Keishing and urged continued support for the party. He said the NPF believed in pursuing Naga aspirations through democratic, constitutional and peaceful means.
Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum highlighted what he described as the contributions of Naga MLAs to peace efforts between communities during the ongoing conflict. He referred to their role in the rescue of the abducted Tangkhul civilians at Litan and other humanitarian interventions, and questioned why NPF legislators had been singled out despite such efforts.
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Addressing the gathering, MLA Leishiyo Keishing clarified that the meeting was not an election meeting but a party programme aimed at strengthening village units.
Keishing said the NPF had both active and primary members and described the party as being rooted in Naga customs, culture and traditions. He also said the party upheld Christian beliefs and maintained that the NPF was more than merely a political organisation.
The MLA urged party workers and supporters to continue placing their trust in the NPF and highlighted development works undertaken during his two terms in office.
He pointed out that Phungyar constituency covers a vast area comprising 146 villages and stressed the need for self-sufficiency, self-reliance and effective implementation of development projects.
Keishing also expressed dissatisfaction over the stalled NH-102A project, which he said had received central sanction of around ₹3,500 crore, and highlighted several other development proposals that remain pending.
