UNC lifts blockade
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, September 11 2014:
United Naga Council (UNC) has lifted its indefinite blockade imposed along all the highways from noon today in reciprocation of the intervention by the Government of India and to create a conducive atmosphere for taking forward the Indo-Naga peace process, based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas, to its logical end.
The UNC sponsored indefinite blockade began on September 4 .
According to a statement, the emergency 'presidential council meeting' of UNC attended by Naga tribe presidents, Naga frontal organisations and district organisations held on September 11 deliberated on the request of the Govt of India for review of the indefinite ban on all construction works on national projects and ban on vehicular traffic on highways, which was enforced to demand the Government of India's intervention on the imperilled situation of the Nagas in Manipur.
The meeting recorded its appreciation of the actions initiated by the Government of India on the UNC Memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on August 30 and the written assurance of the Government of India's sincere effort to resolve the Naga issue delivered in person by Prakash Mishra, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India on September 9 .
It was further put on record that the contempt and disrespect of the Government of Manipur for the Indo-Naga cease fire has been the cause of the militarization of Naga areas, killings of innocents and attack upon our human rights and identity, and that these conditions have become accentuated with the delay in the settlement of the Indo-Naga Issue.
The UNC said it also therefore reposed its trust in the Government of India to take up the central issue of the Indo-Naga cease-fire coverage at the appropriate level to ensure that henceforth the acts of state terrorism by the Government of Manipur is prevented.
It was also resolved that the indefinite ban on all construction works on national projects and ban on vehicular traffic on highways will be lifted with effect from 12 noon of September 11 in reciprocation of the intervention of the Government of India and to create a conducive atmosphere for taking forward the Indo-Naga peace process, which is based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas, to its logical end.
The UNC also said it took serious note and strongly condemned the 'communal assault' and harassment of Naga residents of Imphal by Manipur police commandos on September 1 and 4 .
The United Naga Council then said it acknowledges the unflinching support of the Naga people and also the cooperation of the general public for the peaceful and violence free observation of the ban.
"We appeal for continued readiness of the Naga people for their proactive participation in the people's movement till we achieve our political aspiration," the UNC statement said.