State gears up to foil UNC strike
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 15 2011:
While a meeting convened today by United Naga Council (UNC) re-endorsed its earlier decisions to agitate against the Government of Manipur, adequate security measures have reportedly been taken up to ensure that the rail-line project works continue smoothly.
The meeting held at Senapati adopted various resolutions with regard to pursuing its agenda for unification of the Nagas and alternative arrangement, among other issues even as a UNC functionary speaking on condition of anonymity conveyed that the earlier decision to boycott rail-line project works would be enforced.
On the otherhand, an informed source said the Union Home Ministry has directed authorities concerned for fool-proof security measure to ensure that the rail-line work, declared a national project, proceeds for completion within the specified period.
The source disclosed that in the backdrop of the UNC calling boycott of the rail project work with effect from December 16, the Union Ministry has directed all concerned to deploy a CRPF battalion for the task of providing security coverage to the project.
While the CRPF battalion has been entrusted with main task, all other security agencies including the Army, Assam Rifles and State forces deployed along the project route have been advised to maintain vigil for any eventualities.
According to a State Government source, four companies of the said CRPF battalion have already been deployed at strategic locations along the project route while two other companies are on their way to Manipur.
The UNC had declared that it would boycott the rail project works to protest the recent comment of the Prime Minister that the territorial integrity of Manipur would be safeguarded at any cost.
Meanwhile, the meeting convened by UNC, and attended by leaders of different Naga organisations has reiterated stand of the Naga people adopted at similar meetings while affirming that any political party that do not uphold interest of the Nagas will not be supported in any manner.
A joint statement issued by UNC president L Adani and general secretary Gaidon Kamei said the meting held at Senapati today was attended by leaders of various Naga frontal organisations during which the earlier decisions to strive for Naga unification and opposition against any move by the Government of Manipur to bifurcate Naga areas were reiterated among other resolutions.
Highlighting that the meeting endorsed the ongoing Naga peace process, pledged continuous support in the endeavour of Forum for Naga Reconciliation for bringing peace and reconciliation and extend support till attaining the goal for 'alternative arrangement, the joint statement asserted that any political party or individual(s) not upholding interest of the nagas would be deemed anti-Naga.
Stating that the meeting was convened to strengthen the people's movement for alternative arrangement, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue through participation and ownership of every Naga, the meeting also resolved to urge negotiators in the ongoing political dialogue for bringing early settlement to the Indo-Naga issue.
With regard to the proposed move for formation of Sadar Hills, Jiribam, Tongjei Maril, Phungyar, Tengnoupal and Kaching districts, the meeting decided that the said district formation merits objection for it is an attempt to bifurcate Naga areas for upgrading the said districts.
On the demand for 'Alternative arrangement' outside the Govt of Manipur, the meeting resolved to urge the Government of India to intervene immediately with an alternative 'political and administrative' arrangement for the Nagas of Manipur.
Any political party or individual(s), who either in speech, written statement, visual display or in action, oppose the above position of the Nagas would be deemed as anti-Naga, added the statement.
The UNC has been lobbying with the Central Government for alternative arrangement.
.
Comment
