Imphal, June 10 2010: The Zeliangrong Interim Body has strongly condemned the State Government's alleged act of criminalising two Naga social leaders, Samson Remei, president UNC and ANSAM president David Choro.

Terming it unprecedented, a press release issued by the ZIB remarked that the Ibobi-led Government remarked that this was nothing but continuance of the alleged subjugation and suppression of the tribal people and attempts to annihilate the Nagas.

While the UNC was demanding deferment of elections to ADCs under the present content and form of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 2008, the Government did not respond to many representations submitted towards this end.

This compelled ANSAM and its units to resort to economic blockade.

Further, the Government categorically rejected the genuine and legitimate demands of the tribals and went ahead with the ADC elections.

Some years back, when the Meitei people were demanding inclusion within the 8th and 11th Schedule of the Indian constitution and also for inclusion of Meitei in the Other Backward Class, the tribal people, particularly the Nagas supported their struggle.

However, none of these organisations have come forward to speak for the rights of the tribals, it lamented.