UNC reiterats 48 hrs 'total' bandh
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, February 03 2016:
The United Naga Council (UNC) in another statement has confirmed that it will go ahead with the proposed 48 hrs 'Total' bandh and has warned against any violation of the said agitation.
Endorsing the UNC's 48-hour bandh starting February 4 midnight, the Chandel Naga Peoples' Organisation (CNPO) has today announced a total shut down in Chandel district including educational institutions during the bandh.
Publicity wing of the apex body has informed that any elements or anti-social forces attempting to undermine the decision of the tribals in Manipur and Nagas will not be tolerated, it warned.
All business establishments and normal vehicular movement of both private and commercial will be strictly restricted during the two days bandh.
The announcement has come a day before the 48 hr bandh comes into force on February 4 midnight till February 6 midnight in all hill districts of Manipur.
However, the UNC informed that, religious programmes, earthquake related activities, medical, electricity, water supply and media fraternity are exempted from the purview of 48 hours total bandh.
It has also appealed to the public to extend support and co-operation during the said democratic agitation against the 'communal' Manipur Government.
The UNC had earlier announced its decision to call a 48 hour bandh from midnight of February 4 in all hill districts of Manipur in continuation of its previous demands and democratic movement.
The UNC said any movement and attempts to sabotage the final political settlement based on 'unique history of the Nagas and its situation' will never be compromised under any circumstances.
According to the UNC, the Nagas and tribal people in the present State of Manipur were self-governed and self administered people.
It also said a dual system of administration for the hills and valley came into existence after the British annexed the Meitei kingdom in 1881."The tribal areas were administered by the political department of the British Crown.
This dual system continued even after 1949 when the Meitei Kingdom was merged with the Indian Union along with tribal areas without their consent, through deception, and under protest of the Nagas and other tribal people.
Since then the story of the Nagas and tribal people in Manipur has been one of the marginalization, victimization, discrimination and domination," it alleged.
"The imposed system of governance has resulted in systematic degradation and obliteration of our history, culture, identity and right to land and resources and finally crucified the Nagas and tribal rights on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015 by passing 3 anti tribal Bills and resolution consequent upon which 9 innocent civilians were killed by communal State security forces whose bodies are still lying at the morgue of civil hospital, Churachandpur", the UNC stated.
"The people of different origin and history cannot live together under forced union.
The approach for peaceful co-existence is exhausted and therefore the best way for the Nagas and the tribals is to part and live as good neighbors so that Nagas and tribal people can live with dignity and honor as a people and a Nation," it added.