Proposed visit of Chief Minister to Ukhrul TNL to beseech Home Minister to intervene
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, October 20 2016: President of the Tangkhul Naga Long Weapon Zimik today asserted that that they will formally approach Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to advise Chief Minister O Ibobi to withdraw his decision to visit Ukhrul for multiple inauguration programmes on October 24 .

Amid the 24 hours total shutdown called by ATSUM in all the hill districts, the TNL today launched a poster campaign as a part of intensifying their protest against the proposed visit of the Chief Minister and his council of Ministers to Ukhrul district.

Proposed visit of Chief Minister to Ukhrul TNL to beseech Home Minister to intervene

Banners embossed with the words "We condemn inauguration of district hospital before completion" were pasted on the front gate of the hospital while posters with the words "CM stay safe at Imphal rather than sorry in the hills", "Ibobi zero in tribal areas, Nine tribal martyrs heroes", "No empty political campaign", "Tribal areas for peace not for exploitation" were pasted on the walls and buildings across Ukhrul town by TNL volunteers.

TNL president Weapon Zimik questioned the purpose of the CM's intended visit despite the stiff opposition from the Tangkhul community.

According to him, the CM's intention is to sabotage the Framework Agreement signed between GoI and NSCN (IM) last year.

Weapon Zimik further said that the CM militarized the district by deploying huge State security forces in 2014 and opposed the visit of Thuingaleng Muivah to his native village Somdal in 2010 .

The TNL president further stated that he would submit a memorandum to the Home Minister through Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, detailing the possible outbreak of violence in case the CM does not cancel his plans to visit the district.

According to official sources, the chopper landing rehearsal for the CM's itinerary was successfully conducted at Chingai yesterday.