Noney rallies for securing Naga's land
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 26 2011: Endorsing the decision adopted by the United Naga Council (UNC) against inclusion of any land belonging to the Nagas in the creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts, a silent rally was taken out at Noney (Longmai) in Tamenglong district today.

The rally organised by the Joint Action Committee Against the Creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam Districts started from Noney Keithel.

The rally which was participated by hundreds of people including church leaders, public leaders and students returned to the starting point after reaching the gate of 10 Assam Rifles.

They protesters carried placards and banners which read "No consensus, No Sadar Hills", "Honour the MoU signed with the Nagas", "Not an inch of Naga territory for creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam" etc.

The silent rally was followed by a public meeting at Noney Keithel.

At the end of the meeting, convenor of the JAC Chamrei Kamei declared the resolutions of the meeting.

Chamrei Kamei declared that the Nagas and the Government of Manipur signed MoU's in 1981, 1992, 1996 and 1998 to the effect that the issue of Sadar Hills would be settled with the consensus of all the concerned people in the interest of bringing lasting peace and harmony between the Nagas and Kukis.

Rally at Noney against any design to bifurcate Naga areas

However, the Government of Manipur has been working to carve out Nagas' land, he alleged.

He further accused the State Government of throwing the bone of contention between the hill peoples with the objective of creating divisions and conflict between the hill communities.

The declaration strongly condemned the alleged divisive policy being pursued by the State Government.

Later speaking to media persons in the office of Noney Bazar Board, JAC convenor Chamrei Kamei clarified that they did not mean Sadar Hills and Jiribam should not be given district status under any circumstances.

Should Sadar Hills and Jiribam be upgraded to the status of full fledged districts, it should be done with the consent of Nagas and in the process not an inch of Nagas' land should be affected.

If there is any need for tripartite talk to settle the issue involving those demanding districthood, the State Government and the Nagas, the Nagas would welcome it.

"We are hoping that the Government would invite us for joint meeting over the issue but no invitation has been forthcoming from the Government till date", Chamrei said.

Rongmei Naga Council Manipur president Th Pamei said that the proposed Sadar Hills district covers 40 Naga villages.

"Regarding the demand for Jiribam district, we neither support it nor oppose it", he said.

Nevertheless, creation of Jiribam district should not touch any land of Tamenglong district.

He also asked as to why the forests areas of Tousem sub-division, Tamenglong district are being kept under the jurisdiction of DFO Jiribam.

Saying that they would relax their agitation once the bandh/blockades are lifted from Sadar Hills area, Th Pamei decried imposition of restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC along NH 53 .

If the restrictions are not lifted at the earliest, untoward incidents may break out along the highway, he cautioned.