Will not allow imposition of flag hoisting: ANSAM
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network
Senapati, August 13 2022:
All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has accused the government of Manipur of forcing the people to hoist the Indian National Flag.
"We will not allow any imposition of flag hoisting,ANSAM said in a statement on Saturday.
The Naga students' body alleged that the "Government of Manipur's repeated tyranny on the people and imposition of all sorts" are serious concerns.
It also stated that the blanket order to hoist Indian National Flag on August 15 circulated in various departments including the Education Department "whereby directly and indirectly confronting the rights and sentiments of the Nagas and provoking us is condemned" .
For the Nagas, according to ANSAM, "We have been celebrating our Independence Day on August 14 since 1947 and we hope the Government of Manipur will take note of this history whereby a political negotiation has also been undergoing at the Prime Minister Level, Indo-Naga peace talk as two entities' .
ANSAM added that such an order negates the spirit of the Framework Agreement and negotiation between the two entities.
The statement of the students' body further asserted the notification of the Education Department for compulsory hoisting of Indian National Flag in all schools "reminds us of the government wilfully denying us quality education for decades since Independence".
ANSAM also claimed that the recent expenditure statement on the allocated bud get of four years reflects a mere 5.7 per cent of the total proportion in the hills.
"An insult such as this cannot be celebrated with hoisting of flag on Independence Day.
Rather it amounts to rubbing salt to the wound," it decried.
ANSAM further warned, "In order to avoid confrontation we are cautioning the departments especially the Education Department to refrain from compelling people to hoist flag in our villages " .