UNC calls bandh in 'Naga areas'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Senapati, July 14 2014:
United Naga Council (UNC) has announced to call 24 hours bandh in 'Naga areas' of Manipur from the midnight of July 15 in protest against what it called 'the military strength show' of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh against the Nagas and also for the immediate implementation of 'Alternative Arrangement' .
Talking to some media persons here today, UNC general secretary Gaidon Kamei said that the latest 'military strength show' of Ibobi Singh is presently prevailing in Ukhrul town and this is not the first time the Manipur Government has harassed the Nagas.
In 2010 when NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah wanted to visit his native village Somdal, Ukhrul district, Ibobi Singh on May 6 detailed large number of Manipur security force at Mao Gate in the Manipur-Nagaland border to block the NSCN-IM leader and thereby resulting in murdering of two promising Naga students, Gaidon Kamei said, while pointing out that many people have become handicapped due to the bullet injuries of the Manipur police commandos.
Again, on May 28, 2011, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi Singh blocked the then Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu from entering Manipur.
"Mr Rio was to launch the Naga People's Front (NPF) at Senapati but Ibobi Singh sent again large number of security force at Mao Gate creating history of one chief minister preventing another chief minister from going to one state," he added.
Meanwhile, the UNC general secretary said the 24-hour bandh which is to begin from July 15 midnight will be a democratic and a peaceful agitation.
Educational institutions, media, electricity, medical services will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.