UNC decries double state level Lui-Ngai-Ni
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, February 17 2023:
As the official 'state level' Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival of the Nagas in Manipur, was being organised at Kapaam village in Chandel district under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC), a group of people had also organised the same festival at a place in Imphal by terming it as 'State Level Lui-Ngai-Ni', said UNC.
In a statement, the Council said it was irked by such activities.
"Some unscrupulous self-style and unmandated persons had organised a separate Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, 2023, at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong in Imphal by hijacking the title 'State Level Lui-Ngai-Ni' and the logo," the UNC statement said.
In this regard, the Council questioned the motives and intentions of the organisers of the festival at TRI.
UNC also said that it "seriously views such activities as a divisive policy working hand-in-glove with some elements to divide the Nagas".
Hence, UNC said it will be compelled to take up appropriate actions against those organisers.
Clarifying that it "always welcomes and encourages" anyone including villages and organisations to celebrate Lui-Ngai-Ni festival anywhere, UNC said that "as the custodian of Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, it constitutes 'State Level Organising Committee' every year.
"As such, there cannot be another 'State Level Lui-Ngai-Ni' anywhere other than the event organised under the aegis of the Council.
Meanwhile, UNC expressed its "heartfelt gratitude" to all the Nagas who had contributed and extended logistic support and their active participation in the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, 2023, at Kapaam village which made the festival a grand success.