Imphal, December 12: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has lambasted sitting Naga MLAs and ministers in the present Manipur Assembly accusing the Naga representatives of remaining silent even as Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had commented against interest of the Nagas.

The ANSAM statement has been prompted by the recent comment of the Prime Minister in Imphal where the VVIP had undermined Naga integration campaign by saying, "the government will do nothing to hurt the sentiments of the people of Manipur.

ANSAM said Naga MLAs and Ministers present at the Prime Minister's meeting at Kangla in Imphal chose not to speak out and defend their rights.

"Naga integration is a very serious subject not to be sold away at speech that easily especially when the Naga leaders and the Indian political leaders are holding the political dialogue on the integration issue," said the ANSAM statement.

ANSAM also stated that the Naga students' body is closely watching the development in the Jiri-Tousem region and said "ANSAM will not allow any Naga area to be administered directly or indirectly by any other than the Naga district headquarters." ANSAM appealed the Naga people to disassociate themselves from any government body, individual, parties or organisation that work against the interest of the Nagas and also not to share platform with them in any public meeting.

On the other hand, ANSAM condemned physical assault of Naga Hoho vice president Keviletou on November 27 in Kohima.

The students' body also urged all Nagas to work together to bring the culprits to book at the earliest.

"That even after so many days the culprits have not been arrested and punished do not augur well to the peace loving and respectable Naga society and also that the despicable act is not only anti social and anti national but it is also a direct challenge to the Naga people" said the ANSAM.