UNC lashes out at State Govt
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, July 15 2014: While preparing for imposing 24 hours bandh in 'Naga areas' of Manipur, the United Naga Council (UNC) has lashed out at the Manipur Government saying the latter always capitalises on incidents to sabotage the ongoing Naga peace process and the people's democratic movement.

Today's statement of the UNC comes amid deployment of large number of State security forces in Ukhrul town following the killing of a Member of Autonomous District Council (ADC) last week end.

On Monday, the United Naga Council (UNC) had announced to call 24 hours bandh in 'Naga areas' of Mani-pur from the midnight of July 15 in protest against what it called 'the military strength show' of Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh against the Nagas.

Following the killing of the ADC Member on July 12 in Ukhrul district by suspected militants, Manipur Government has been deploying large number of State forces in Ukhrul town enforcing the Section 144 CrPC.

"The story of the Nagas and tribals in Manipur has been one of marginalization, victimization, discrimination and domination under the communal Government of Manipur.

The imposed system of governance has led to systematic degradation and obliteration of Naga and tribal history, culture, identity and rights to land and resources," the UNC said today.

It stated that a negotiated settlement to the decades old Indo-Naga issue based on the unique history and situation of the Naga people will be the logical conclusion of the ongoing peace process.

The de- mand for intervention of the Government of India with an 'alternative arrangement' outside the Government of Ma- nipur, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue has been registered and a Committee is being formed by the Government of India to translate the demand into a political reality, the UNC further stated.

"At this critical juncture the highly condemnable killing of the late Mr Ngalangzar Malue (the ADC member) by unidentified persons has taken place.

This incident has been capitalized upon by the Government of Manipur, as was done on May 6, 2010 at Mao Gate, on May 28, 2011 (Neiphiu Rio's visit to Senapati) and other instances, to sabotage the ongoing peace process and the people's democratic movement.

The use of force to assert itself as a police state in Naga areas is a blatant infraction of our democratic rights perpetrated by the Ibobi Government with utter disrespect for the Naga people," the Naga body scoffed.

The UNC then said that while the work of Naga reconciliation through the journey of common hope under the banner of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) is gaining momentum, the adversaries will adopt malicious means to sabotage the noble process.

"We therefore urge the Naga people to be ever vigilant so as to ensure a secure future where we can live with respect, dignity and honour," the UNC alerted the Nagas.

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