Not even a silent minute observed for Manipur during CPA meet in city

Shillong, July 30: The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting for the Northeastern states ( India region Zone-III) held in the Assembly in Rilbong here did not make any direct reference to Manipur situation.

The 20th annual conference of the CPA chose to discuss only about the fixed themes – natural disasters and connectivity issues-though the MLAs knew that without peace in the region, no development is possible.

The Manipur MLAs did not take part in the meeting and the government sent only some officials.

Lone voice from Meghalaya 

While speaking in the Assembly, atleast the state UDP legislator Mayralborn Syiem from Nongpoh constituency made a plea to have a silent prayer for peace in Manipur either on July 29 or 30, but there were no takers.

He had urged the Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh and the chairman of CPA, Pasang Sona, who is also the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker, to take note of the suggestion.

Syiem stressed the need of attendees expressing solidarity with the suffering Manipur residents when he spoke in the Assembly on July 29.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla mentioned about the ongoing unrest in the Northeastern states in general but did not specify when he addressed the gathering on the first day of the meeting.

After the conference ended on Sunday, journalists asked Sona as to why Manipur did not find mention in the deliberations.

“Making a reference to Manipur with varied opinions might trigger something which is unwanted. It is a different platform altogether, this is a CPA conference. Here it is not a political conference or any other issue based conference. Here we have discussed certain common development issues , hence we all wanted to refrain from making any statement on Manipur”,  is what the Arunachal Speaker said.

For govt it was a success 

In a statement issued here, the government said the CPA meeting was concluded ‘successfully’

Presiding officers of Northeastern states, parliamentarians, legislators, commissioner and secretaries/secretaries of legislative assemblies of Northeastern states participated in the conference.

During the second day of the conference, deliberations continued on the subjects: ‘Natural Disasters and Strategies for Management with Special reference to North East Region and Regional Connectivity to bring North East Region at par with mainland India.

The plenary session jointly chaired by Sona, and Vice Chairman of CPA India Region Zone III &  Meghalaya  Assembly Speaker Thomas  Sangma, was marked by discussions and constructive contributions from participants.

Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan, attended the valedictory function as the chief guest.

In his address, the governor said that the agendas discussed in the two-day conference, on natural disasters and strategies for management with special reference to North East region, and regional connectivity to bring the Northeast at par with mainland India, are two crucial topics, highly pertinent to the region.

He hoped that through the deliberations, new ideas and perspectives have emerged that would result in important policy formulations that are required to achieve holistic development of the region and propel it to new heights.

In his remark, Sona said many ideas and suggestions have emerged during the 2-day discourse on the topics that are crucial for the development of the North East.

Alternative road to ‘Chicken Neck’ 

He shared that the participants reached a consensus on certain suggestions, including the need for an alternative road connecting the North East to the mainland India, apart from the Siliguri corridor also known as the ‘Chicken Neck’.

He said there is a need for proper study of the region regarding natural disasters so that a  permanent solution can be attained.

Sona said there was no resolution adopted after the conference but the suggestions will be documented and shared with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Affairs Headquarters in London, the CPA India Region Headquarters and Ministries concerned so that they can incorporate them in their policies.

Deputy Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Timothy D Shira thanked the dignitaries who attended the conference.

The conference was followed by a cultural programme and dinner hosted by the governor, at Raj Bhavan.

On Monday, the delegates will be given a tour and sightseeing of Sohra, where state Assembly Speaker will host a lunch at Jiva Resort, Sohra.

The delegation will leave Shillong on August 1.