UNC's 48 Hr highway bandh to pile up AA pressure
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 18 2013:
To register protest against the "insult on the sentiments of the Naga people in Manipur" and to reiterate the demand for immediate intervention of the GoI with an alternative arrangement outside the GoM pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, the United Naga Council (UNC) has announced a 48 hour total bandh on NHs-2, 37 and 150 in Naga areas from midnight of Nov 19 .
A statement issued by the publicity wing of the UNC warned of taking up a series of follow up democratic action if the 'symbolic demons- tration' receives no response.
In respect of the democratic process of dialogue, the UNC had reminded the Government of India (GoI) vide letter dated Oct 29, 2013 of the agreement arrived at in the 6th tripartite talk of the GoI, Government of Manipur (GoM) and UNC held at Hotel Ashok, Delhi on Aug 30, 2013 that the next round of talk would be convened within two months time and upgraded to the political level.
"We have also placed on the dialogue table that the GoI and GoM have been disrespectful of the dialogue process with delays and lack of response to request for timely holding of talks.
We have submitted that invitation for agitation by the GoI and GoM should be avoided and the process should be carried forward respectfully to its logical end, which is the very purpose for which the tripartite talk was put in place by the GoI," the UNC stated.
Reiterating that the issue at hand is based on their history and aspiration for political empowerment and while they have no desire to create hardship for the people, the UNC said it is compelled to protest in no uncertain terms against the insult on the sentiments of the Naga people in Manipur and to reiterate the demand for immediate intervention of the GoI with an alternative arrangement outside the GoM pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.
Against this backdrop, the Presidential Council of the UNC held today has resolved to observe a total ban on all vehicular traffic on National Highways 2 (earlier 39), 37 and 150 in Naga areas for 48 hours with effect from midnight of Nov 19, it said.
The UNC added that the ban will be implemented by the Tribe Hohos and Regional Frontal Organisations in their respective jurisdiction.
Any body violating this call for observing the protest ban will be doing so at their own risk.
The cooperation and solidarity of the general public is solicited to make the protest violence free and peaceful, it said.