UNC tells Nagas not to support Tamenglong Orange Festival
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Senapati, November 28 2015 :
United Naga Council (UNC) has appealed all the Nagas and tribal people not to extend in any forms of support and cooperation to Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister in the Orange Festival, 2015 sponsored by the Government of Manipur.
The council has called on the Naga and tribal communities to stand united against all forms of "oppressive policy" of the State Government till "our long cherished political aspiration" is achieved.
UNC allged that the Government of India had sanctioned crores of rupees for horticulture development in Manipur particularly for Tamenglong District through the Horticulture Mission of India under the Ministry of Agriculture.
"But the fund had been misappropriated without implementation," the council alleged.
UNC asked why crores of rupees meant for horticultural and orange plantation sanctioned by the Government of India was diverted for removal of Phumdi (floating bio-mass) in Loktak Lake.
The State Government has not been addressing the rights and interest of the orange growers and this had led to a decrease in production over the years, alleged UNC.
"There is a strong apprehension that a day will come when people of Tamenglong district will celebrate Orange Festival sans orange fruit," said UNC.
The council also alleged that the State Government is organising the Orange Festival in Tamenglong on December 9 by spending crores of rupees in the name of orange.
Accusing the State Government of making several "empty promises" to poor orange growers, UNC also pointed out that horticulture and agriculture offices and staff are found in Tamenglong.
UNC alleged that the State Government is adopting "anti Naga and tribal policies and by sponsoring State terrorism" .
"The Naga people should not succumb to the appeasement policy of the State government in enticing the people in the guise of organizing different forms of festivals in Naga and tribal territory just to fulfill and strengthen their selfish political objectives," the UNC added.