HOHO TEAM TO PURSUADE MANIPUR NAGAS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT
Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, August 10:
The Senapati based Naga Youth Front has decided to launch an indefinite economic blockade on National Highway 39 with effect from 6 pm tomorrow (August 11), in continuance of protest against the government of India�s decision to go back on the June 14 Bangkok agreement on extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN without territorial limits.
A spokesman of the NYF, Senapati, speaking to IFP over telephone, said the proposed blockades is in continuation of the earlier bandhs called by the NYF on NH-39 from July 17 to 18 and the 72 hours bandh enforced from July 29 in protest against the Centre�s decision to review the June 14 agreement.
Meanwhile it is learnt that the Naga Hoho president, together with prominent Naga intellectual, Nikhetu Iralu, will lead a team to Senapati and other Naga districts of Manipur tomorrow, to talk to the Naga leaders of Manipur not to resort to any hasty action which may precipitate the already volatile situation, according to a reliable source.
The team will also persuade the Manipur Naga leaders to exercise maximum restraint in all their actions, the source said.
The visit acquires significance, in view of the indefinite National Highway-39 blockade called by the NYF, Senapati.
It may be recalled the Naga Hoho had appealed to all not to resort to blockades and other disruptive activities along the national highways.
It had specifically, on many occasions, stated that these kinds of actions would amount not just to escalating the tension and perhaps even lead to violence, but also the loss of goodwill of well wishers from outside.
It may also be recalled that the last blockades of the two national highways connecting Manipur to the rest of India by various Naga organizations was called off after the Naga Hoho advised against it.
In addition, the Council of Nagaland Baptist Church, had appealed to all Naga organization to celebrate the Naga Independence Day on August 14, not to boycott the Indian Independence Day celebration the next day on August 15.