UNC Statement on 13th September, 2013 bombing in Imphal valley

Tahamzam, 15th September, 2013

The United Naga Council reiterates it respect for the genuine political aspirations of the people and communities in the region. But we condemn without any reservation the inhuman killing of 9 labourers and injury of many with explosive in the heart of Imphal valley on the 13th Sept, 2013. This targeting of innocent civilians for the mere reason that they hail from outside the state of Manipur is reflective of the total absence of respect for the human person and life. This is a universal human issue and the mindless violence cannot be condoned on any count.

The Imphal valley based Underground(UG) issued Quit Notice to the mainland Indians(who are given the generic name "Mayang" by the Meiteis). The valley UGs also banned Hindi films and songs since a decade ago. Many mainland Indians have been killed, maimed and beaten up by the valley based UGs and in the list are included prominent Christian missionaries engaged in education. Not surprisingly, Communal Government of Manipur (GoM) has chosen to remain a silent spectator testifying their endorsement of such heinous crimes and thereby also demonstrating the subtle nexus between the GoM and Imphal valley based UG organisations, who have been declared as terrorist organizations by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

While this incident stands out as a record in terms of number of mortality in a single episode, Imphal valley, the heart of the GoM has been bombed 271 times during the previous five years from 2008 to 2012. The Chief Minister’s official residence in the top security zone of Imphal valley was itself 4 times the target for powerful explosive, the last of which took place 10th August, 2013. The much condemned Armed forces Special Powers Act(AFSPA) continues to be operative in the Naga area where there is Indo-Naga cease-fire and also in the tribal areas of the State where there is no anti-mainland Indians campaign but peace and normalcy. State police commandos and IRB personnel are sent to the hills to secure the land from the indigenous people themselves. On the other hand, the AFSPA has been lifted from some part of the greater Imphal and in which most of the bombings and killings have been executed with impunity under the very nose of the GoM.

There have been attempts to extend this culture of violence to the tribal hill areas through the stooges of valley UGs but the tribal people have opposed it. Designated camps for surrendered valley UGs have been opened in the hills by the GoM where the valley surrenderees have created havoc in civil life including the recent violent attacks on civil police in Churachandpur.

Instead of containing this terrorist activities in the valley, the Communal Chief Minister and Home Minister are away in Delhi campaigning for continued dismemberment of the tribals from the Mao-Maram, Paomata and Purul sub-divisions from the Census of India, who were arbitrarily deleted from Census 2001 because allowing them to be counted in the Census would hurt the dominant community’s interest with decrease of 5 Assembly seats from the 40 seats they enjoy in the Legislative house of 60.

Communal Chief Minister Ibobi desires to perpetuate this state of unrest and social divide on communal lines in the state of Manipur so as to continue in power by avoiding the fundamental issues at hand, which is but just delay and does not change the merit of the issues raised by the Nagas and the tribals.

Given the overall impossible situation in the state of Manipur being clearly reflected by the lot of mainland Indians in the Imphal valley and the relentless pursuit for the deprivation of rights of the Nagas and tribals in the state by the communal GoM, the Government of India cannot shy away from its constitutional obligation of intervening with an alternative arrangement for the Naga and tribals at the earliest possible time.

Publicity Wing
United Naga Council