Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 14 2008:
MP of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Mani Charenamei has categorically stated that absence of proper facilities for education, road and transport and health care in the hill areas of Manipur has deprived the rights of the Naga people.
Speaking at as of the special guests of the programme on 'Naga reconciliation: A journey of common hope' held at the public ground of Kapaam (Komlathabi) today, Charenamei said Nagas have been deprived of their rights for the last 40 years.
He said that when Naga people who have their own history and culture raised the demand for a separate homeland with the Government of India, no one should have any objection.
Nagas are not going to take anything that belongs to other people.
Tamils have their own Tamil Nadu and Punjabis have Punjab, why can't the Nagas have their own Nagalim, he questioned, while alluding that the present Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya have been segregated from
Assam.
On the issue of Naga reconciliation, the MP said that since 1988, two Naga National political groups have come about.
However, after the two groups namely NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K), another group called NSCN (Unification) has surfaced very recently and much blood has been shed in these factional clashes.
Now it is time to bring about a reconciliation among all these factions.
Since they have taken up arms to fight for the cause of the Nagas, every Nagas have the right to ask them to reconcile and bring about peace, the
MP exhorted.
Stating his position on the issue, Charenamei said that being an elected representative of the Naga people, he has always highlighted the aspirations of the Naga people on the floor of the House and would continue to do so in future.
Presenting the report of Naga reconciliation at the occasion, president of United Naga Council Samson Remei recalled that the Naga National Reconciliation has been launched after a joint meeting of the Naga Hohos convened at Kohima on December 20, 2001.Since then various round of meetings have been held along with representatives and leaders of NNC, NSCN (IM), NSCN (K), frontal organisations, Church leaders, etc besides taking up confidence building measures like organising football matches and hoisting of white flags symbolising peace in every households and vehicles.
MLA Morung Makunga, who was also present at the programme organised by Chandel Naga Peoples' Organisation, observed that every Nagas feel is that there should not any factional fight since there is ceasefire and peace talk is going on with the Government of India.
Apart from leaders of the seven tribes living in Chandel district, representatives of village authorities, student bodies and Church leaders also participated in the programme.
The gathering also 'We want Naga reconciliation' in unison towards the end of the programme.