UNC warns intense stir over district creation
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, September 11 2024: United Naga Council (UNC) on Wednesday wrote to the union home minister, through the Senapati district deputy commissioner, urging the former to address pending issues related to the arbitrary creation of seven new districts in Manipur.

The UNC also warned that failure to resolve the issues within 15 days would lead to intense agitation.

In its letter, the UNC stated that social unrest gripped Manipur following the arbitrary creation of seven new districts on December 8, 2016, by realigning boundaries of existing districts without the informed consent of stakeholders.

This action, taken during the Congress regime, disregarded four memoranda signed between the government of Manipur and the Naga people, as well as the 2011 assurance by the Government of India that no decisions would be made without consulting all relevant parties, including Naga organisations.

In response, widespread protests ensued, including economic blockade on national highways for 139 days.

To address the issue, 10 rounds of tripartite talks were held between the Government of Manipur, the UNC, and the Government of India, with the latest on March 9, 2019, concluding with an assurance from the Manipur government to present a concrete proposal in the next round of talks, expected by the end of July 2019."In this regard, the United Naga Council has made its stance loud and clear through media outlets, reiterating rigid position against the arbitrary, undemocratic and divisive declaration of 7 new districts on December 8, 2016 by the then government of Manipur.

Hence, any subsequent decision or ruling passed by any institution or authority on the matter stands rejected," the UNC said.

The Naga apex body continued that a letter was sent to the office of the special secretary (formerly joint secretary) for Northeast, MHA on January 22, 2024, requesting resumption of tripartite talks, with a follow-up reminder sent on February 23, 2024.However, there was no response from the government to the United Naga Council, the aggrieved party.

Consequently, the United Naga Council, during its Council Assembly on May 29, 2024, and the subsequent Presidential Council meeting on August 9, 2024, unanimously decided to launch intense agitation with the stated objective for reversing the decision to create the new seven districts on December 8, 2016, and restore status quo, in accordance with the four standing Memoranda of Understanding and the assurances given by the Government of India, it asserted.

The UNC further said that it believed in dialogue and had, therefore, tacitly submitted petitions to address their grievances.

However, with no response to their appeals, the Nagas have resolutely decided to set a 15-day deadline from the date the ultimatum was submitted for resolving the issues.

UNC then warned that the Naga people will initiate an intense form of agitation until their demands are fulfilled.

It added, "The UNC expects to create a vital space and congenial environment to rectify the errors of the past that will surely prove beneficial to all concerned and restore confidence and usher in peace in the state" .

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