Ukhrul rallies for Alternative Arrangement
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 25 2011: Endorsing the July 1, 2010 declaration for seeking an alternative arrangement beyond the jurisprudence of the Government of Manipur, a mass rally was taken out at Ukhrul district headquarters today under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) .

On the other hand, a press release issued by the UNC informed that Union Home Minister P Chidambaram's request to lift the highway blockades would be discussed in a presidential council meeting on November 28 at Tamenglong headquarters after a public rally.

The Ukhrul rally which was participated by a large number of people including students and members of civil society organisations started from two points simultaneously.

The two groups which started from Ukhrul-Kharasom junction and Tungrei junction converged at Phungreitang crossing where a public meeting was held.

The rallyists carried placards and banners which read, "No Naga solution, no rest", "Future of the Nagas, decision of the Nagas", "No alternative arrangement, no rest" etc.

The meeting held at Phungreitang was participated by leaders of UNC, Committee for Alternative Arrangement, Naga Women Union, All Naga Students' Association Manipur, Tangkhul Nagalong, Tangkhul Shanaolong, Tangkhul Naga Wungnaolong, Tangkhul Katamnao Long and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.

Alternative arrangement rally being staged at Ukhrul district headquarters

Speakers who addressed the gathering asserted that the demand for alternative arrangement for Naga people should be pursued more vigorously so as to bring a lasting solution to the decades old Indo-Naga issue.

Keeping back the demands of Naga people is a ploy to wait for expiry of Naga leaders due to old age.

They further urged the Government of India to exercise its political will to bring an honourable and settlement of the Indo-Naga issue at the earliest.

On the other hand, a team of UNC including its present and general secretary met Union Home Minister P Chidambaram at his Delhi office in North Block on November 22 .

The UNC leaders apprised the Union Home Minister about the concerns of Naga people on the issue of creating Sadar Hills district.

It is reported that P Chidambaram assured the UNC team that the Government of Manipur as committed by the Chief Minister on November 2 at Senapati (Tahamzam) in his presence, would not take any unilateral decision on the Sadar Hills issue without consulting the Nagas.

P Chidambaram also assured to give an assurance to that effect in writing.

After this meeting, the UNC received an official communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 24 along with a request to lift the economic blockade on National Highways.

The matter would be taken up and a decision would be adopted in a presidential council meeting that is being convened on November 28 at Tamenglong headquarters soon after the public rally for alternative arrangement is carried out, said a UNC press release.