ANSAM petitions Governor against Sadar Hills district
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 29 2016:
The All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has asserted that "if at all Sadar Hills district is going to be created, its inauguration must be preceded by the amalgamation of the land of the Nagas to their respective contiguous districts, Viz: Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and North District (Senapati)" .
In a memorandum, complete with the enclosure of various relevant documents, submitted to the State Governor, ANSAM said it "feels it necessary" to remind the Government of Manipur of the various Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the Government of Manipur and the Nagas on District Re-Organization matter.
"We would like to state that it took us a series of protest and agitation to arrive at an understanding," ANSAM added.
According to ANSAM, in 1981 on December 14, the Government of Manipur (GoM) and ANSAM arrived at an understanding that "the GoM will take suitable criteria into consideration.
The GoM will also give appropriate opportunity to all the stakeholders for their justification".
(Enclosed minutes of the meeting).
ANSAM also pointed out that in 1992 on November 10, the Government of Manipur and Naga Students' Federation (NSF) signed an agreement that "not an inch of Naga areas would be carved out or bartered away under any circumstances and any demand shall be made to rest by the Government of Manipur" .
According to the ANSAM memorandum, in 1996 on September 27, the Government of Manipur and Naga civil society organisations represented by ANSAM and United Naga Council (UNC) agreed that "not even an inch of the Naga inhabited areas and its original land should be touched while creating any new district" .
The ANSAM memorandum also mentioned that in 1998 on June 23, the Government of Manipur and the Naga civil societies represented by ANSAM and United Naga Council (UNC) signed an MoU that "the proposed Sadar Hills issue should be on the basis of a consensus of the people concerned" and the GoM will take the consent of UNC and ANSAM.
"In 2011 on November 2 at Senapati, the Chief Minister, Manipur in the presence of Union Home Minister reassured that 'no decision will be taken on the Sadar Hills matter without consulting all sections of the people and all stakeholders, including the bodies representing the Nagas' Ref.
No.8/82008-NE-I Ministry of Home Affairs dated November 24, 2011," it added.
The ANSAM then urged the Government of Manipur to uphold the sanctity of the "Agreements/MoUs signed and assurances made.
"Land, for the Naga people (indigenous peoples) is sacred and we have defended the same with our lives and political movement for nearly a century now, and ANSAM will continue to protect and defend our land," ANSAM asserted.
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