Absolute Constitutional Failure in Manipur
- NSUD (Naga Student’s Union, Delhi) -

New Delhi, 07 May 2010

Naga Student’s Union, Delhi
Press Release
Date:07/06/2010
"Absolute Constitutional Failure in Manipur"

Naga Student’s Union, Delhi with its thousand members, on this day the 7th of May 2010, took out to the street in the capital of India to register its protest to the government of Manipur for killing 3 Nagas and injuring 76 of them critically at the behest of the Manipur Police Commandos, firing indiscriminately at the peaceful Nagas awaiting the arrival of Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah on 6th May, 2010, at Manipur-Nagaland border. NSUD also demand central government to form enquiry committee to investigate the matter at the earliest and punish the perpetrators.

NSUD also express its disappointment to the center government, though the Ministry of Home Affairs (GOI) allowed Mr. Muivah to be given passage to visit his native village from 3rd May to 10th May 2010, Government of India has not adequate measure to curb any untoward incident that may take place. NSUD is in the opinion, with the green signal from MHA Muivah's intinerary was scheduled to tour Naga areas as integral process of reassuring his representation as the chief negotiator on the ongoing Indo-Naga Political dialogue. However, on 30th April, 2010 Government of Manipur resolved under cabinet decision to ban the entry of Mr. Muivah and subsequently enforced 144 CrPc and millitarised heavily the two Naga districts namely, Senapati and Ukhrul Districts, where Mr. Muivah's entourage will pass through.

While, the Nagas and the Naga Frontal organizations are preparing the reception of Mr. Muivah's homecoming after 46 years, with garlands and welcome gates, the Manipur Commandos and IRB under the direction of the Manipur State Government resorted to destroying gates and shooting spree to the Naga civilians. Thus, the entourage of Mr. Muivah's cavalcade is stranded at the border of Manipur and Nagaland in Angami village since the 3rd of May. Unsurprisingly, though the security of Mr. Muivah is tantamount to the responsibility of the Government of India, as long as he is in the country, there has been no central or any Indian military forces so far provided.

7 out of 9 Naga MLAs from Manipur resigned on the political ground, inspite of their continuous request to the government of Manipur that Mr. Muivah should be allowed to enter Manipur, rather Mr. Ibobi's government not only sealed off both the national highway 39 and 52 with commandos and IRB but sprayed bullet to the peaceful Nagas, to which the people these Naga MLAs represented. Mr. Ibobi autocracy is nothing but it all expose the Naga minorities shares in people's representation in the legislative assembly of Manipur is that the majority valley based community dominance is none other than autocratic rule over the minorities. It is also a vivid exposure of the Government of India incessantly following policy of terror tactics and pitting community against community, in which Delhi is looking forward to seeing communal conflicts in the region. Thus, Communal tension is flaring up and the symbolic peoples government is torn apart in the autocratic majoritarian system in Manipur. This uncontrolled situation has led to further insecurity of Naga minorities living in Imphal valley.

The larger issue pertaining to the government of Manipur, on the propose visit of Mr. Muivah is suspiciously looked upon as inimical to the "integrity of Manipur." Without valuing the effort of the Nagas towards the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process for the last 13 years, and undue accountability, Government of India is using Ibobi's government as bargaining chips to the Indo-Naga Political Talks, on the unfounded concept called "Integrity of Manipur." This does not only speak the lackadaisical attitude of the centre on the Indo-Naga political talks, but it reveals the daunting power of the state beyond the centre's authority. Where does the authority of India's sovereign power rest when every states in India rise to protect its own integrity, but the failed diplomacy of UPA government belittled the power rested to the parliament under the Art. 2&3 of India's constitution. In other words, this callous attitude of UPA government made the union of India as a whole subservient to any state in India, and its sovereign power lost in diffusion.

NSUD strongly condemns the dilly-dallying politics of the government of India that questionably put on-hold the integrity of Delhi to intervene and provide security to Mr. Muivah's entourage, thus, Manipur is driven to uncontrolled power in the hands of autocratic government. Naga Student's Union Delhi demand immediate deployment of central security forces for the Nagas living in Imphal valley and provision of adequate paramilitary forces for safe entry of Mr. Muivah's retinues.

Th. Muivah is a peace negotiator, and often peace is waged through war. If we do not have peace in us, at least lets all fight to keep the way to peace.

Convenor, Rally Committee
Naga Student's Union Delhi