Tamenglong rally for 'Alternative Arrangement'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Tamenglong, November 28 2011:
In yet another public showing of anger and frustration over the unsettled political aspirations of the Nagas in Manipur for an 'Alternative Arrangement' outside the Government of Manipur, thousands of Zeliangrong Nagas took out a rally today in Tamenglong district to pitch up their voice of protest to reiterate their position and demand for intervention of the Government of India on the long pending issue.
In the meantime an emergency meeting of UNC was held at Tamenglong HQs and decided to lift the 98 days old economic blockades, informed Gaidon Kamei, Secretary, UNC to this reporter.
He said that the UNC is ready to take up any form of democratic agitation in case of any misuse of the agreement.
'We strongly condemned the MoU signed with the Sadar Hill Demand Committee by Chief Secretary of Manipur who also chairman of the reorganization of boundaries, it should give three months before signing of any agreement', Gaidon said.
The rallies organized United Naga Council, UNC carries banners and placards, which read, "No Naga solution, no rest", "Future of the Nagas, decision of the Nagas" and "No Alternative Arrangement, no rest", "Land of Nagas not Ibobi's property", "GoM served ties with Non Governance", "Territorial integrity of Manipur lies in Imphal- Valley and "No ties with the Communal Govt.of Manipur".
The rally was kicked-off from Mini Stadium (Apollo ground) to Medical gate and back to Haipou Jaduanang Park where a public meeting was also held there.
All shops and business establishments around the district were shut down and no vehicular movement could be seen for the day.
The rally was also participated by a large number of school students with full school uniforms.
Leaders of UNC, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Organization, Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur, Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) Tangkhul Naga Long and Committee for Alternative Arrangement spoke in the public meeting.
The declaration drawing the attention of the Government of India, said they put on record that the situation is fragile, sensitive and explosive and has all the potential for "communal conflagration" should the Government of India continue to adopt a wait and watch policy, adding that the onus lies on the Government to save the situation and intervene at the earliest possible.
The Nagas will continue to fight for their rightful aspirations till it is achieved, they maintained.
They also urged upon the Government of India to exercise its political will to bring an honourable and acceptable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue at the earliest, notwithstanding any attempts to sabotage this process.
During the course of the public rally, they held placards which read "Peaceful parting of ways is the only way", "No ties with the communal Government of Manipur" and "Right to self-government is the Fundamental Right" .