UNC seeks PM's intervention
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2014 : The United Naga Council (UNC) has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent intervention of the Government of India on the alleged highly imperilled situation of the Nagas in Manipur.

According to the memorandum, a copy of which is also available at the press, the Government of Manipur(GoM) has invested all efforts to destabilise the Indo-Naga cease-fire through militarisation of Naga areas, particularly in Ukhrul district on the pretext of law and order, and to thereby prevent early settlement of the decades old Indo-Naga issue.

The communal actions and policies of the GoM on the Nagas and tribals is not confined to the use of force alone but is well orchestrated with notifications, legislations, administrative orders and Acts that seek to usurp ancestral lands which is protected under the constitution of India and also to perpetuate the denial of identity, due opportunities and political empowerment of people.

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There are no Nagas in Manipur.

No to Indo-Naga cease-fire.

No to political empowerment of tribals and Nagas, no to protection of ancestral lands of the Nagas and tribals.

No to the constitutional rights of employment and educational opportunities of the Nagas and tribals, as borne out by the current reservation crisis in Manipur University, the highest temple of learning and wisdom.

No to development of the tribal areas on the pretext of law and order and absence of land laws - this is the GoM's policy towards the Nagas and tribal people.

The memorandum also enclosed the public statement issued by the United Naga Council on the 24th August, 2014 bringing out the burning issues and for which the mass rally is being held today by the Naga people in all the Naga district headquarters.

The memorandum demanded the GoI to expedite an acceptable and honourable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.

The GoM must be prevailed upon by the Union to uphold and respect the Indo-Naga cease-fire and peace process which recognises the unique history and situation of the Nagas and to immediately desist from militarisation of Naga areas particularly Ukhrui district which is under unwarranted promulgation of 144CrPC for almost 7 weeks to this day, in spite of the continuous protest of the people.

The Gol must ensure that the GoM is not allowed to subvert the constitutional rights and protections of the tribals and Nagas in all spheres - educational, employment, ownership of land and natural resources, development opportunities etc.

The GoI should take forward with sincerity and seriousness the democratic process of dialogue in the tripartite talk of the GoI, GoM and UNC on the demand of the Nagas in Manipur for an alternative arrangement outside the GoM, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga Issue, which has progressed to the logical stage of institution of a High Powered Committee to translate the same into a polity reality.

Meanwhile a press release issued by the UNC called upon the Naga people to be in preparedness for any eventuality as they intensifies severance of ties with the Government of Manipur.

Referring to the killing of two persons in police firing at Ukhrul today, force and violence is the only response of the Government of Manipur to the Nagas.

It also mentioned about the killing of Neli Chakho and Dikho Loshou in police firing at Mao Gate on May 6, 2010 .