UNC asks Nagas to stay away from State-sponsored I-Day celebration
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 10, 2014: United Naga Council (UNC) on Sunday asked all Naga people in Manipur not to participate in the Independence Day celebration to be held under the aegis of Government of Manipur on August 15. In a statement issued by its publicity wing, UNC said that it has decided that the Naga people in Manipur will not associate with the observation of the Independence Day organized by the district administrations under the aegis of the Government of Manipur to take forward its demand for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas outside of Government of Manipur pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.

However, there will be no restriction on observing the Independence Day in the respective institutions/organizational jurisdictions, and all Tribe Hohos, Naga Frontal and Regional organizations will ensure that the above is effectively observed in their respective jurisdictions, UNC said.

The latest move of UNC has come after the completion of its 10-day ban on construction works on all national projects in �Naga areas' with effect from 6 am of August 11, 2014. The UNC statement further stated that democratic civil actions have been taken up by the Naga people to demand for immediate intervention of the Government of India with an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue as the militarization of Naga areas continues, particularly in Ukhrul, by the Government of Manipur, which has also launched an aggressive back door policy to usurp the land of the tribals through the New Land Use Policy of Manipur (2014), introduction of Village Development Committees, New Land Acquisition Bill and appointment of Revenue Tribunals.

Chief Minister O Ibobi has also been maintaining that there are no Nagas nor does any land belong to the Nagas in Manipur.

Comment