Militarization a tactical move to suppress our rights: Naga orgs
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, July 17 2014: The Naga organisations have termed the militarisation in Ukhrul as tactical strategies of Manipur government to suppress the Naga's rights and a devious ploy to derail the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process.

A high delegation Naga team led by Naga Hoho vice president Samson Remai held a consultative meeting with Tangkhul frontal organisations and select groups at Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) hall on Thursday afternoon.

The meeting termed the developing situation in Ukhrul as provocative and not an isolated case of militarization process of Manipur government.

"We have seen the militarization process with our own eye and this is definitely an attempt to derail the ongoing peace process.

We condemn the militarization when there is peace processes" declared the Naga Hoho vice president Samson Remai.

The Naga bodies, after a long deliberation on the ground realities, were unanimous that the United Naga Council (UNC) takes the cudgel to exert pressure on the government for an early end to Ukhrul crisis.

The high delegation Naga team comprises UNC president L.Adani, Naga Women Union Manipur (NWUM) president LM Tabitha and ANSAM vice president Alex.

Thursday's meeting was conspicuous as NWUM was the only Naga body to condemn the killing of ADC member and former vice chairman by unidentified gunmen at Ukhrul's Finch Corner on July 13 .

The women body president L.M.Tabitha espoused that the killing and use of force was never a solution, and expressed displeasure against the use of force by the State government.

In similar tone to NWUM, Alternative Arrangement Demand Committee convenor Pual Leo termed the July 12 killing as very unfortunate.

The consultative meeting also took stock of the recent happenings in Ukhrul.

A day after the Ukhrul ADC member Nagalangzar Malue was assassinated by armed assailants on July 13, the State government ordered a raid at NSCN (IM) regional office, deployed police Commando, IRB and CRPF jawans, and imposition of prohibitory order under section 144 of CrPC Act in the town.

UNC president L.Adani said that the Naga civil organizations do not advocate any use of violence and forces, and urged the Naga people to prepare for any eventualities.

Today's meeting also held deliberations on streamlining the mode of democratic process to press for their demands.

Earlier, TNL had submitted a written representation to Governor V.K.Duggal appealing for revoking the prohibitory order, withdrawal of the security forces and release of the arrested NSCN(IM) cadres with the deadline set this evening.

Meanwhile, NPF Ukhrul district unit has termed the Manipur government's show of military might as unfortunate.

A press statement issued by its general secretary Sowung Woleng stated that it will continue to stand for the rights of every community and put pressure on the government.

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