Dimapur | February 22: At 71, he is still vibrant as ever and raring to go for his sixth election. S. Imtisungit Jamir INC candidate for the Dimapur II A/C got close and personal in an exclusive interview with our senior reporter Noel Manuel at his private residence at Naharbari on Friday afternoon. Excerpts from the interview.

What is your agenda for this election?
My top priority is the educated, half educated and uneducated youth. Government employment is limited and we have to create opportunities in the private sector. However there has to be a congenial atmosphere to promote the private sector. I intend to change the mindset of our Naga youth and restore law and order in this commercial hub.

What are the areas of development lacking in Dimapur?
Dimapur is an unplanned area. People had settled long before the government could initiate any programme here. There are lack of civic amenities such as good roads, drainage, electricity, water supply, drinking water and sewerage systems.

As planning minister, in the then Congress government what was your greatest achievement?
The storm drainage phase I, amounting to Rs 24 crores was the greatest achievement. Unless the drainage system is good, you can do little to prevent the roads from deteriorating. There would also be a rise in water borne diseases. I regret to say that the second phase of the storm drainage amounting to Rs 74 crore was not pursued by the DAN government.

In the recent past, there has been a spate of extortions, bandhs, killings, kidnappings and other forms of unrest. Whom do you blame for that?
The civil society is to blame. They don’t or rather they have failed to raise their voice. The time has come for them to raise their voices.

You have served the people for three terms. How did you manage to keep yourself busy after the last elections?

I engaged myself in a lot of social and party activities.

How do you find your position in this election?
If a free and fair election is held, I have the majority. But as you know elections are never fair.

What is your opinion of the Church playing a role in the elections?
The Church is not doing enough against the malpractices adopted during the election. They should openly speak against the evil practices. Perhaps even undertake a crusade against social evils.

What were the reasons for your loss in the last assembly elections?
The AK-47 and the distribution of party tickets. Many people were affected by the distribution of party tickets and they poured out their grievances in the ballot.

How would you describe the future of our people?
Unless evil practices are checked within the next ten years, we are heading for a revolution. ‘Mafiaism’ will take over and this will bring instability to the government as well.

What is your message for the people?
I have served the people to the best of my capacity in the 15 years that I was elected. The last five years has been a period of retrospection and introspection. I have studied my failures and successes and resolved to serve the people to the best of my abilities, particularly the youth.

Politics is very unpredictable. How would you serve the people in case the verdict does not go in favour of you?
I have always served the society and will continue to do so. I would like to involve myself with various NGOs to enlighten our people against the deteriorating Naga character.

(MExN)