Districts proposal for Jiri, Sadar Hills opposed
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, March 17 2016:
Amidst growing opposition to the proposed creation of two new districts in Jiribam and Sadar Hills, the southern Tahamzam (Senapati) Naga Union, Manipur has accused the Ibobi led Congress Government of promoting ethnic division by planning to approve the creation of Jiribam and Sadar Hills districts.
The STNU said that it is a known fact that a large chunk of land in the proposed districts are owned and occupied, since time immemorial by various indigenous Naga tribes such as Zeliangrong, Inpuis, Tangkhuls, Thangals, Paomais, Maos, Marams, Marings, Chirus, Aimols, Kharams etc.
Approving the creation of the proposed districts under duress to appease some communities by carving out land without the consent of the indigenous people is against their interest and violation of their basic rights over their land.
Per se, it is a communal strategy to incite ethnic hostilities among different communities residing in the present two sub-divisions, it added.
Further, the STNU, Manipur, reiterated, it is committed to protecting their rights, identity, land and its resources, tradition and its people.
"Therefore, it is to make known to all that no force on earth will be allowed to carve/disintegrate our ancestral land to appease some section of communities whatsoever", said STNU (M) in a statement.
However, STNU (M) asserted that it will honor every diligent steps taken up for communal harmony in the present two sub-divisions.