Thousands turn up for UNC sponsored rally at Naga areas
Territorial Council likely to be in pipelines for Nagas of Manipur, ArP : Kho John
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, December 17 2019: Spelling out what the final pact between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) may turn out to be, UNC president S Kho John today predicted that 'regional autonomous territorial council' is in the pipelines for the Nagas of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

The UNC sponsored rally came a day ahead of the Winter Session of the State Assembly which is set to start tomorrow and is likely to deliberate on the Naga issue.

Addressing a gathering at TNL ground in Ukhrul as part of the rallies organised by UNC in all Naga inhabited areas of the State today, the UNC president said he is hopeful that today's rally would be the last public movement on the Naga political issue as a final solution is expected anytime soon.

Thousands turn up for UNC sponsored rally at Naga areas

Anticipating an 'honourable and logical conclusion' to the Naga peace talks, mass rallies under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC) were held at Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts.

Nagas have been demanding a lasting and peaceful solution for years after a peace pact was signed between the NSCN-IM and Government of India in 1997, said S Kho John.

The rallies were organised to reach out to all the Nagas in the State and reaffirm the stand for an honourable and logical solution to the peace talks, he added.

Ashinpou Gangmei, chairman, Committee for Alternative Arrangement said that the Government of India has accepted in principle the settlement of the Naga issue.

It is working on competencies based on the Framework Agreement and the 'uniqueness' of Naga history.

He further said that on November 15, southern Naga leaders, under the aegis of UNC, held a meeting with Interlocutor RN Ravi where he told the leaders that the talk was almost completed.

General secretary of NWU, A Lolia appealed for the peace talk to ensure a permanent settlement and urged all concerned to withdraw the FIR registered against Tangkhul CSOs to restore peace in the district.

"Naga struggle for self determination is almost a hundred years old," said TNL president Hopingson A Shimray adding that Naga Elder Club was formed in 1918 followed by establishment of NNC in 1946 .

A memorandum, in support of Naga peace talks and urging the Government of India for an 'honourable' settlement, to be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was read out before the gathering.

The memorandum was jointly signed by United Naga Council, Naga Women Union, Committee for Alternative Arrangement, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Naga People Movement for Human Rights, Tangkhul Katamnao Long and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.

Thousands of people took part in the peace rally which began from two places- Dungrei and Kharasom junction and concluded at TNL ground Wino Bazar for a public meeting.

Chandel: The mass rally was also conducted at Chandel DHQs.

A memorandum for an 'honourable' solution to the Naga issue and addressed to Prime Minister was also submitted through Deputy Commissioner, Chandel.

The rally started from Maha Union Government High School ground and proceeded towards Mini Secretariat to submit the memorandum.

The huge crowd including leaders and representatives of different Naga bodies held a mass prayer for early and honourable conclusion to the Naga peace talks.

UNC ex-president Gaidon Kamei, UNC speaker WS Karnal, Chandel Naga Peoples' Organization president Paulhring Langhu, All Naga Students' Association Manipur education secretary Newman Pola and representatives of different Naga bodies took part in the rally.

Tamenglong: People in large number took out a similar rally at Tamenglong DHQs.

The rally started from Mini stadium and concluded at Haipou Jadonang Park.

Senapati: Around 3,000 people took out a rally carrying placards and banners with the words, "Peace rally for early and logical conclusion of Indo-Naga peace talk", "Peace will benefit all", "Peaceful co-existence through Naga solution", "Historical mistakes be not repeated and peace rally for early settlement of Indo-Naga issue" .

Speaking at the occasion, S Milan, general secretary of the United Naga Council recalled that as early as January 29, 1920, the Naga Club on behalf of the Naga people submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission asserting the stand of the Naga people.

The Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 and the Nagas had reportedly signed three accords earlier in the past such as the 9 Point Agreement, 16 Point Agreement and 1975 Agreement.

However, in all those accords, the core issue of the Naga people was not delivered but the fourth accord need not go the way of the earlier ones, he said The UNC leader said that a separate Naga National flag and separate Naga Constitution must be recognised in the Naga accord as Nagas are a separate entity and of a separate origin.

A memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India was also submitted.