Orange festival underway amidst boycott call : 18th dec12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines

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Orange festival underway amidst boycott call
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei

Tamenglong, December 17 2012: The 9th State Level Orange Festival kicked off on Monday at the Mini Stadium of Tamenglong district head quarters here amidst boycott calls given by All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) .

Orchestrating their steadfast opposition to the festival, volunteers of ANSAM and ZYF burnt an effigy of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at the Martyr's park located right in the heart of the district head quarters even as the festival was officially declared open by District Commissioner of Tamenglong C Arthur W .

Extraction of sacred fire (Mailapmei), dance competition participated by 10 different cultural troupes, other competitions including shot put, long jump, orange eating competition, arm wrestling, traditional Goipi Kajapmei (grabbing of buffalo head), grease pole climbing ,etc marked the inaugural and first day of the colourful fest.

The evening session of the festival was attended by Janghemlung Panmei, MLA of Tamenglong (ST) AC; Raj Kumar Imo Singh, MLA of Sagolband A/C; Maibam Kunjo, MLA of Hiyanglam A/C; Oinam Lukhoi Singh, MLA of Wangoi A/C; Chief Secretary D.S Poonia, IAS and his wife as guests of honour.

On the other hand, leaders of ANSAM and ZYF speaking to media persons on the sidelines of their protest demonstration announced that their ongoing agitation would be intensified.

Seth Satsang, ANSAM gen secy said that the ashes of the effigy of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh would be buried Tuesday as mark of ending his 'communal policy' .

"The position of the Naga is crystal clear that no Ministers or MLAs of the ruling party of the Government of Manipur (GoM) & Naga ADC members would be welcomed in Naga areas.

We are not against the otherwise respectable individuals but against the official positions they occupy, which negates the political position of the Naga people," he said.

The ANSAM general secretary maintained the Nagas do not recognize Government of Manipur (GoM) because of the unmistakable facts that Ibobi Singh and his entourage do not understand the issue.

"Today, we burnt the effigy of Ibobi Singh and would bury the ashes tomorrow the 18th Dec.

2012 to tell the world that Ibobi and his agenda of denying our rights is condemned", he added.

Seth Satsang reminded the Naga People about the earlier directive issued to all the frontal organizations, tribe organizations, range and village level organizations and individuals not to entertain or associate with or confer recognition on any public platform to the Ministers of the GoM, Naga MLAs & Minister of the ruling party of the GoM & Naga ADC members.

Expressing its gratitude to the Zeliangrong people for their cooperation and the unflinching support of the constituent units of ANSAM and ZYF Zones, Satsang said "We believe that Naga people will continue to extend cooperation and support in the days to come as we have taken the position to advocate our Rights until we achieve our aspiration" .

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