Visiting one's birth place is a birth right
- Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) and
Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) -
3rd May, 2010
Joint Press Release
3rd May, 2010
Visiting one's birth place is a birth right
The Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) and Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland), ZYF strongly condemn the Manipur Government's deployment of heavily armed Manipur Police Commandos and Indian Reserved Battalion in Mao Gate, Jessami, Ukhrul, and other Naga areas in order to prevent Mr. Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser, GPRN from going on a National Peace Tour in which he was to visit Naga areas in Manipur. The situation has resulted in creating fear among the populace around the areas where the personnel are stationed; in Mao Gate, residents have started vacating the central area as the Manipur Police Commandos and IRB have turned the residential area into a fortified camp with the construction of bunkers coupled with the presence of heavy armoured cars, water cannon tanks, and other warlike arsenals.
It is significant that Mr. Muivah leads the movement of the Nagas to find a peaceful and permanent solution to the Indo-Naga political issue through honourable and just negotiations with the Government of India.
ZSUM and ZYF, as organisations of the Zeiangrong people, are strongly opposed to the scare tactics employed by the Government of Manipur to suppress the voice and demands of the Nagas. We heartily welcome the National Peace Tour initiative of Mr. Th. Muivah and extend our full solidarity and support for the same so that justice and peace will come about for the Nagas.
The unprecedented military measures being taken, with the intention to use brute force upon the peace seeking Nagas is universally condemnable and an act to unsettle the fragile peace in the Naga areas. The tear gassing of the public in Ukhrul and use of threats and intimidation in other areas is cowardly and indicates the immaturity of the Manipur Government.
We believe in the principle of peace, justice and fundamental freedom of all people and communities. The visit of Mr. Muivah to his native place is but a process in ensuring the ongoing peaceful settlement of Indo-Naga conflict which has already claimed thousand of lives. Therefore, opposing Mr. Muivah's visit is a direct opposition to peace and peaceful negotiation of the Naga issue and is nothing short of exercising power without wisdom.
The People of Zeliangrong wants peaceful settlement of the drawn out Indo-Naga political problem, and support the current peace talks between the Government of India and NSCN. Zeliangrong people welcomes the proposed historic peace touring and appeals to all peace loving citizens of Manipur and adjoining states to extend solidarity in the efforts to reach a peaceful settlement of Indo-Naga Political issue.
We would finally like to point out that the Government of Manipur who has no mandate to interfere in the rightful claim of the Nagas. We therefore, urge the Manipur Government to immediately stop all its actions that has the potential of escalating the situation.
(CHUNTHUIGAI KAMEI)
State Secretary, ZSUM
(THIURIANG PANMEI)
General Secretary,
ZYF (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland)
This information is sent to e-pao.net by Admin, Zeliangrong Info . The sender can be contacted at zeliangronginfo(at)gmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on April 30th 2010.
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