People's Democracy

DYFI Forms State Unit In Nagaland

WITH a clarion call to build and strengthen the democratic youth movement in the state, Democratic Youth Federation of India formed its state committee in Nagaland. In order to start the work of the DYFI in Nagaland, the organisation took serious initiatives. As a result, the task of membership enrollment was gradually undertaken in last few months and after consultation with the DYFI all India centre the decision to hold the first organisational convention was taken. Accordingly, the first Nagaland state organisational convention was held on November 26-27^, 2008 at Diphupar Council Hall, Dimapur. On behalf of the central executive committee of DYFI, Tapas Sinha, general secretary, attended this convention.

Representing more than fifteen hundred members of DYFI in Nagaland, more than hundred delegates of DYFI participated in the convention. Inaugurating the convention, Tapas Sinha explained the programme, aims and objectives of DYFI and underlined the need and importance of building a broad based democratic youth movement in the state. He said that DYFI, since its inception has played a significant role in uniting the youth and the people against attacks on democratic rights, against forces of imperialism and communalism. While stating that DYFI is working for the all round development and the betterment of the youth community, he explained the slogan of �jobs for all, education for all� and urged the youth to unite themselves to fight for their rights. Tapas Sinha criticised the central government for surrendering the sovereignty of our country and he urged the youth to fight against the anti-youth policies of the central government and the state government. Alleging that the central government was not serious in dealing with problems in the North-East region and Nagaland in particular, he further called upon the youth to prepare a demand charter to press for their demands. In this regard, he pointed out the agitations conducted by the DYFI raising the issues of unemployment, education, health and all round development. He also mentioned about the Azadi Bachao Abhiyan conducted against nuclear deal, price-rise, unemployment, and communalism and terrorism in September-October, 2008.

On behalf of the CEC of DYFI, Tapas Sinha congratulated all the members of the DYFI in Nagaland for carrying forward the work of the organisation. In the organisational convention, a political �organisational report was presented which the delegates discussed. After the discussion, a nineteen member state committee including two young women members was elected. The state committee elected a nine member state secretariat. Zuchumo Lotha was elected as president and E Philip Lotha as secretary of the Nagaland state committee.

The newly formed state committee has decided to launch a statewide signature campaign on the issues of employment, education and development from December 15, 2008. The committee has also decided to submit a memorandum to chief minister of Nagaland after the signature campaign.