Tribals likely to unite for AA demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2013: The United Naga Council (UNC)'s demand for Alternative Arrangement outside the Government of Manipur is likely to morph into the demand of not only the Nagas but all the tribal communities of the State prior to the final settlement of the GoI-NSCN (IM) peace talk, which is said to be at its last stage.

A highly placed source said that several tribal civil society organisations have persuaded the Naga leaders to incorporate all tribal communities in the demand for Alternative Arrangement outside the Manipur Government.

However, no step has been taken up to comply with the proposal of the tribal organisations.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, President of United Naga Council, L Adani said tribal rights as enshrined in the Constitution of India are not only denied to the Nagas but to all tribals of the State.

A public meeting underway after a rally demanding Alternative Arrangement : File pic

Even though the UNC raised the demand of Alternative Arrangement, the same is applicable to all tribals of the State, Adani pointed out.

He however confided that no common platform has been arrangeed so far to raise the demand to the Government.

To a query, L Adani said Government employees in the hill areas would be given an option whether to continue their service under AA or other means if and when AA is granted.

He said there would be no problem if an employee prefers to continue service under AA.

It may be mentioned that the NPF has also endorsed the UNC's demand for AA outside the Manipur Government.

An NPF MLA is likely to mobilise support to the UNC's demand for AA among the Hill Area Committee members in the near future.

Dismissing the apprehension that Manipur would be disintegrated if and when the AA is granted, L Adani said the relation between the valley and hill people would be more stronger under AA.

He also said that AA does not guarantee the disintegration of the State as well as the relation of hill-valley people.

Asserting that there have been no Science and Maths teachers in the hills, the UNC president said only the valley people would be appointed as Science and Maths teachers in schools in the hill area under AA.