Urge for imposition of President's Rule in Manipur : UNC

Tahamzam, 6th September, 2014

Our peoples’ movement is rooted in our political aspirations as a people. The people have registered their protest through more than adequate public statements and democratic civil actions on the unwarranted imposition of 144 CrPC in Ukhrul District Hqs for more than 7 weeks by the Government of Manipur(GoM) and the insecurity to which they have subjected the people to with unprecedented militarisation. The thousands of Nagas who came out to rally on 30th August, 2014 in all Naga District Hqs was a clear demonstration of the sentiments of the people and cannot be belittled in a Democracy.

Constitutionally, Mr Ibobi, Chief Minister and Mr Gaikhangam, Deputy Chief Minister are obliged to listen to the voice of the people, protect the life of the citizens and safeguard their security. Instead, the voice of the people have been muffled. Lives have been taken and the people brutalised by their forces.

Manipur is a state under the Union of India. The Indo-Naga Cease-Fire was signed by the GoI and the NSCN(IM) as two entities without any precondition. The Naga people all over have prayerfully upheld the Indo-Naga peace process with respect and great expectation over the last 17 years. Instead of facilitating the peace process, as is their bounden duty, the communal GoM becomes the spoilsport by militarising Naga areas on the pretext of law and order problem with the sole aim of dishonouring the Indo-Naga Cease-fire and sabotaging the Indo-Naga peace process. The aspirations of the Naga people based on their identity, history and political movement is denigrated as a pipe-dream and with public statements that there are no Nagas and no land belongs to Nagas in Manipur.

Mr Gaikhangam, who not so long ago championed Naga integration and signed the memorandum demanding for integration of Naga areas submitted to the Prime Minister of India on 27th May, 2005 by 11 MLAs and 2 MPs today is an ardent advocate against the Naga people.

Mr Gaikhangam maintains that the 30th August rally and protest was at the behest of others and was not by the people? Who are these ‘others’ ? Are the people who protest against unfair and unjust imposition by a communal government ‘criminals” ? Will they be forever suppressed with unwarranted sanctions and use of violence and force. He insinuates by throwing in the picture of ‘human shields” of innocent women behind whom there were the ‘others’. He feigns ignorance as to who has shot dead Mayopam and Ramkhasing and this is in perfect consonance with his statement made on 23rd August, 2014 at Manipur University revealing uncertainty and lack of confidence even in his security guards in ensuring his safety. As the Home Minister, he has made his point on the state of affairs in the state. Mr Gaikhangam’s linking of the rally, the UNC and the thousands of Nagas who demonstrated their sentiments to the NSCN is utter disrespect for the people and a diabolic attempt at absolving himself of the culpability of the killings and the brutalisation of that day. Instead of apologising to the people for the killings and the brutality he chose to add insult to injury. Are this kind arrogant provocation acceptable within democracy?

Why was the 144 CrPC not revoked during the rally in respect of the people ? It was he and his Government which had orchestrated the incident knowing fully well what will happen on that day. The GoM is solely responsible for the crime. The SMSs received by Mr Gaikhangam, be it imaginary or fictitious, congratulating him with over the successful militarisation of Ukhrul has taken precedence over the thousands of Nagas, life and in person, who rallied across the land of the Nagas on 30th August, 2014 in condemnation of the same. The voice of the people is supreme in democracy. Where does he derive the legitimacy to mock and condemn the voice and sentiments of the people. From the SMSs ? Does a democratic Government run this way ?

The GoI must understand that we do not believe in violence or force. Our people’s movement is based upon the unmistakable fact that it is impossible to protect our right to life, land, time-honored institutions, customary practice and values under the administration of the dominant and communal GoM and that our history with it, has clearly confirmed the harsh reality that the GoM has never recognized and respected the identity and dignity of the Naga people. Until and unless the Nagas and tribals have an alternative arrangement outside the GoM, this strife, this conflict and the potential for catastrophic communal clash will always be there. The younger generation who are more passionate will not tolerate and suffer without dignity and honour. Our question then is why does the GoI not intervene ?

Democracy and the constitutional rights of the people are being desecrated. Does the constitution sanction the killing of its citizen, albeit peaceful protestors. The GoI cannot shy away from intervening on the pretext of constitutional limitations. The constitution is supreme. It guarantees the lives and security of the people. The communal GoM cannot be allowed to toy with the lives, security and rights of the people. To restore the faith of the people in democracy, we strongly urge for imposition of President’s Rule in the failed State of Manipur.

If the GoI does not intervene then it allows the perpetuation of suppression and discrimination of the Nagas and tribals in the existing violent structure of the GoM.

Publicity Wing
United Naga Council