UNC gives indefinite bandh call
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, August 20 2011:
The United Naga Council (UNC) has called an indefinite bandh in "Naga areas" from August 21 .
The UNC said its move is to express the Naga people's resentment over "attempts to bifurcate Naga areas in order to create new districts" .
The UNC's agitation call is amid indefinite bandh underway since the beginning of this month sponsored by Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) demanding creation of Sadar Hills district.
There have been violent agitations along the National Highway 39 and NH-53 with scores of vehicles and government offices set on fire by the SHDDC volunteers.
Amid such a situation, the United Naga Council on Saturday accused the government of Manipur of mishandling the present crisis.
"Handling of the present crisis and the biased attitude demonstrated by the government of Manipur has been viewed as a deliberate attempt to pit one community against the other," alleged the UNC.
the UNC also reiterated it will not accept bifurcation of "Naga areas" without the wishes and consent of the Nagas.
"The Nagas have been resisting arbitrary encroachment and creation of artificial boundaries of their land since the colonial period and hence any attempt on the part of the government of Manipur to create new districts without consulting the Nagas will be strongly opposed," it affirmed.
The UNC then stated that the Nagas had signed four memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with the government of Manipur, wherein the MoU of 1998 stated that resolution to the conflict on the issue of Sadar Hills will be brought about through a consensus of the peoples concerned in the interest of bringing about lasting peace and harmony between the Nagas and Kukis.
"And also, the 1998 memorandum of understanding agreed to honour the memorandum/agreement entered into 1981, 1992, 1996 and and also recognized as the issue of land as the bone of contention between the Kukis and Nagas.
Therefore, the government should not take any hasty decision in this matter," the Naga body cautioned.