More Naga bodies oppose TC demand
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, July 12 2019:
After the media reported about the 'Territorial Council' demand of the armed groups which are under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact including the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and the United People's Front (UPF), more and more Naga organizations are expressing their concerns.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the Zeme Naga Council (ZNC), the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC), the Rongmei Naga Council (RNC) and the Inpui Union asserted that their lands should not be affected by any outcome of the KNO, UPF talks with the Government of India and the Government of Manipur.
Striking a stand with the United Naga Council (UNC) on the issue, the ZNC, the LNC, the RNC and the Inpui Union asserted that their ancestral lands should not be affected under any circumstances.
The KNO and UPF are the two umbrella organisations of the Kuki armed groups.
They have been holding 'tripartite talks' with the Government for sometime now after signing the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact.
Recently, it was in the media that the KNO-UPF talks with the Government had discussed 'Territorial Council' .
The media had also reported that "there were a good number of agreements on the issue" .
The KNO, the UPF and the Government had agreed to hold the next round of talk "at the earliest possible date", according to the media reports.
Concerned with the development, the ZNC, the LNC, the RNC and the Inpui Union asserted that they will defend their territory "come what may" .
It can be noted here that, a few days ago the UNC had come out with a strong statement saying that the "Nagas will never compromise and barter away even an inch of our ancestral homeland under any circumstances" .
The UNC had also said that it was only in the recent past that "other community(s) intruded into our ancestral homeland" .
The UNC had urged the Government of India to honour the "well established" political position of the Naga people on land, identity, history and rights.
It also urged the Government of India to exercise its prerogatives cautiously.