ANSAM supports bandh, endorses UNC demand
UNC's total bandh from midnight today
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 15 2012:
Demanding the 'alternative arrangement' for the Nagas in Manipur, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has endorsed the stand of the United Naga Council (UNC) of calling bandh in Naga areas from Saturday evening for two days.
The bandh is to come into effect from midnight of June 16 .
ANSAM said it fully endorses the call of the United Naga Council (UNC) for observation of 48 hours total bandh in Naga areas to protest against the lack of sincerity on the part of the Government of India (GoI) and the Government of Manipur (GoM) in taking forward the democratic process of dialogue through the tripartite talk put into place to address the demand for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur outside the government of Manipur.
The Naga students' body said, it has also been called to urge New Delhi for immediate intervention with an alternative arrangement to address the sharp "social divide" on communal lines, which is deeply entrenched in the present state of Manipur.
"In view of the above, all constituents units of the ANSAM are hereby directed to effectively enforce the total bandh in their respective jurisdiction as stipulated by the UNC from the midnight of 16th June, 2012 to midnight of 18th June, 2012," the Naga students' body said.
It then said while soliciting the cooperation of the general public, we would like to caution that willful violation of the democratic agitation will be dealt with in measures warranted by the issue which is being engaged by the total bandh.
Few days ago, the United Naga Council (UNC) had announced to call a 48-hour total bandh including construction of rail lines in 'Naga areas' from the midnight of June 16 in protest against the alleged lack of interest of the government on the demand for 'Alternative Arrangement' .
"The democratic process of dialogue on the demand for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur through the tripartite talk of the Government of India (GoI), the Government of Manipur(GoM) and the United Naga Council(UNC), which was initiated by the Hon'ble Home Minister of India is a registration and recognition of the sharp "social divide" on communal lines due to the marginalization, discrimination and domination, which has ledsystematic degradation and obliteration of Naga and tribal history, culture, identity and rights to land and resources," the UNC had stated.
The last tripartite talk was held on June 30, 2011 at Senapati.
Subsequently, submissions were made to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), urging for expeditious resumption of the tripartite talk.
The Union Home Minister at Senapati and the Prime Minister at Raj Bhavan, Imphal had urged the UNC on November 2, 2011 and December 3, 2011 respectively to continue with the dialogue process.