What lies behind economic blockade

M Dosopuwa *

This is an open write up to all concerned who refuse to listen to the Naga people's side of story on the present issue. The present economic blockade was imposed when all democratic means was exhausted against the imposition of the unwanted District Council election without people's consultation. This was the first insult.

This very act was rejected 20 years back by the tribals of Manipur. The present economic blockade was enforced under the aegis of All Naga Students' Association (ANSAM) since April 12, 2010. One week of economic blockade was first imposed however Ibobi kept quite and refused to listen to the cry of the tribals.

Since then the indefinite blockade was announced. Unfortunately, against all democratic means invitation was sent to UNC on 26th May ie on the day of 1st phase polling of district council at 2 pm through DC Senapati District after a gap of 3 months of representation and democratic means. This was the second insult.

Ironically Ibobi has not invited for dialogue to ANSAM till now. To make known to all who are trying to polarise/divert the present issue to Honourable Ato Kilonser Th Muivah's proposed visit to his home town to attend the fasting revival programme from 5th to 7th May which is an every year affair since 100 years after Christianity was accepted and also meet people to share on the progress of Indo-Naga peace process. This was the Third insult.

Much to the pain of people who have been affected by the blockade, be it Meitei, Tribal, Nagas, the Naga people are taking more pain to go up to the extent of economic blockade which is the most unwilling act to do.

Instead of exploring means and ways to end the impasse Ibobi along with Minister Biren, Ranjit without any remorse on Mao incident, Taphou, Khumji and Ukhrul communal indiscriminate firing upon women and children leading to 2 death and hundreds and hundreds of women injured, went all out to suppress through media war, communal meeting held in all localities in the valley and taking commandos/IRBs to cut through the road where in Khumji women and children were targeted.

Irabot, a senior Minister instead of advising the Government for peaceful means of solution went on for making into solo hero and ended firing in NH-53 on innocent women in Noney. Local MLA Y Surchandra of Kakching, under Thoubal District along with his supporters destroyed Maring Naga village sign board written as Chandel District, that there is no Naga in Manipur.

With the appeal from all sections on the plight of innocent people in Imphal valley, to review on economic blockade issue from various perspectives the United Naga Council (UNC) had called for presidential council meeting of all tribes on 7th June.

ANSAM called for presidential council meeting on 8th June and Coordination committee of UNC and frontal organisation of all district meeting on 8 June. It was open information sent to all tribe bodies, students, and members in all districts. Ibobi as Chief Minister was aware of it on review meeting being called, when all State intelligent agencies are omnipresent in different colours and shapes.

However, to the dismay of Nagas suddenly he came out on the same day of meeting with the arrest warrant with 'wanted tag" of Rupees one lakh each on UNC president and ANSAM president in the name of acting president. However, the Naga people decided to give 5 days to IBOBI and his communal cohort if sense and sensibility would prevail. This cheap gimmick to criminalise the Naga Traditional body and members to sub-human was adding salt to the wound. This was the Fourth insult.

Now ladies and gentleman, tell us who is responsible for the blockade and who wants to continue? Is it not sufficient that Ibobi and his communal cohort want this conflict to continue? Where was the logic to come out with 'wanted tag' with prize when he knew the whole Naga people were having meeting to review the blockade?

And when has Imphal valley media published Naga statement, except rejoinder to Nagas statement which was never published in their daily papers? Rather the press themselves in different names/orgs issue rejoinder to confuse the whole population in the valley. Why did they black out the exodus of Indians from the valley quit notice issued?

Convince the Nagas and tribal, that who want Blockade to be continued and mislead the world? Is it not Ibobi and his communal Government who want to continue with the blockade? Nagas are simple who will stick to the fact not trying to mislead neighbours unlike IBOBI and his communal cohort sponsoring counter blockade in Imphal valley and some miscreants in Assam undermining the people there.

The NYF condemns all who in the name of peace mislead the people through false propaganda which is crime against humanity. Ibobi and his communal cohort trying to divert on arrest warrant to two Naga leaders from the main issue is a foolish planning. Nagas know what their rights are before even he was born.

NYF appeals to all different Indian political parties and the power that be in Delhi, to understand and not to be swayed by the cheap propaganda. No where in the world has problem that has been solved through false propaganda and misleading of hard facts.