UNC calls 72 hr bandh from Dec 26 midnight
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, December 24 2012: The United Naga Council (UNC) has called a 72 hour bandh in all "Naga areas" starting from the midnight of December 26 .

The UNC said their move to call the bandh has been taken to register their protest against the "attacks on Nagas" .

"We are constrained to reiterate the Naga people's position on the reported manhandling incident at Chandel that the law of the land must act upon the guilty.

Nagas had requested for lifting the bandh and given a public statement, that left without an option, we would take our own course of action.

The Government of Manipur pretends to restore law and order through a police force that refuses to enforce it.

Meanwhile the insult and humiliation; destruction of personal belongings, commodities and vehicles and physical assault on Nagas continue unabated in the capital of Manipur.

This time it is a direct attack on the celebration of Christmas and Christianity," the UNC alleged today.

According to the UNC, the Government of India has been asked to intervene as there is no Government or rule of law and the mob of Imphal valley have taken over vide the memorandum December 23, 2012 addressed to the Prime Minister of India.

"Government of India therefore is also responsible for the continuation of the anarchy in Imphal valley.

This mayhem has continued for more than 68 hours in full view and knowledge of the Government.

Manipur has not seen such systematic campaign," further alleged the UNC.

It further said that even after the Film Forum Manipur and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council had relaxed the indefinite bandh with effect from the midnight of December 23, the tribals heading for respective villages for Christmas on December 24 from outside the State and from Imphal valley with State police escorts were attacked, their belongings seized and destroyed and physically assaulted and this continues to this hour.

The earlier camouflage of the Chandel manhandling issue has now been discarded as the organisers of the bandh have lifted it.

There is no more an issue behind the agitation targeting Nagas and is now purely a communal campaign, the UNC added.

"Now the whole world knows that this onslaught is premeditated and has been wilfully done and not through an error in judgement.

The unbridgeable difference between the tribals in Manipur and the Meiteis.

Starting from the Chief Minister, political parties, social scientists and civil society organisations of the Meiteis, these differences have been affirmed with their stand in public platforms in relation to communal inter-relationship," the UNC pointed out.

It further stated that in view of the given situation where the " communal Government of Manipur" has allowed communal forces to persistently attack the Nagas in particular, 'it is our demand that the Government of India intervene immediately with an Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur' .

In pursuance of this urgent demand to the Government of India and to register our protest against the unabated attacks, a 72(seventy-two) hours bandh will be observed in the Naga areas with effect from the midnight of December 26 to the midnight of December 29.All Manipuri video and music CDs/cassettes, dramas and leelas will also be banned in Naga areas with immediate effect.

"All tribes councils, frontal organisations and general Naga public will strictly enforce the above in their respective jurisdictions," the UNC urged.

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