Ukhrul rally for 'Alternative Arrangement'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 25 2011: In yet another public cry, showing anger and frustration over the unsettled political aspirations of the Nagas in Manipur for an 'Alternative Arrangement' outside the Government of Manipur, thousands of Tankhul Nagas took out a rally in Ukhrul district to pitch up their voice of protest to demand to reiterate their position and demand for intervention of the Government of India on the long pending issue Friday.

The rally, which was organized under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC), under the banner, "No Naga solution, no rest", "Future of the Nagas, decision of the Nagas" and "No Alternative Arrangement, no rest", was kicked-off from Tungjei Junction and Kharasom Junction and culminated at Gandhi Chawk and a public meeting was also held there.

All shops and business establishments around the district were shut down and no vehicular movement could be seen for the day.

The rally was also participated by a large number of school students with full school uniforms.

Leaders of UNC, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Organization, Tangkhul Nagalong and Committee for Alternative Arrangement spoke in the public meeting.

UNC information secretary, S.Milan said the Nagas do not want any kind of move for bifurcation of Naga inhabited areas in the name of bringing good administration and no more excuses in this regard.

"The Nagas should be duly consulted for formation of new district and something happens without consent of the community, the consequences will be worst", the UNC leader warned.

"Through this democratic and legitimate platform, we appeal the Government of India to recognize the unmistakable facts that calls for severance of ties with the 'communal Government' of Manipur, Ukhrul rally for 'Alternative Arrangement' who have established hegemony over the years to illegitimately deny the rights, land, identity, culture, time honoured traditional institutions and practices of the Nagas and tribals, and to therefore, intervene with an Alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur" said a joint declaration of the civil groups participated in today's rally.

The declaration further drawing the attention of the Government of India, said they put on record that the situation is fragile, sensitive and explosive and has all the potential for "communal conflagration" should the Government of India continue to adopt a wait and watch policy, adding that the onus lies on the Government to save the situation and intervene at the earliest possible.

Be it also witnessed on this day that the Nagas will continue to fight for their rightful aspirations till it is achieved, they maintained.

They also urged upon the Government of India to exercise its political will to bring an honourable and acceptable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue at the earliest, notwithstanding any attempts to sabotage this process.

During the course of the public rally, they held placards which read "Peaceful parting of ways is the only way", "No ties with the communal Government of Manipur" and "Right to self-government is the Fundamental Right" .

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