Centre's inaction irks ANSAM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 19 2011: Irked with the Central Government's failure to take up any visible initiative regarding intervention on the 'alternative arrangement' outside the Government of Manipur, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) is set to launch agitation from October 21 .

A statement issued by its Publicity Cell said, "We will be firstly observing a three days total bandh in all Naga areas from the midnight of October 21 till midnight of October 24 .

However, in respect of Chandel district the total bandh on October 23 will be excepted/relaxed due to Chavan Kumhrin (Chandel Fest).

Schools will be an exception but any vehicular movement on school duties will also fall under the purview of the total bandh" .

It added, "From the October 25, there will be indefinite total shut down for one hour i.e.from 12 noon to 1pm everyday excepting Sundays in all district headquarters, sub-divisional hqs and National and State Highways" .

ANSAM also added that schedules for other forms of agitations and protests would be announced later.

The student body also appealed to the general public for their cooperation and support in the movement for 'alternative arrangement' to secure the democratic rights of the Nagas in Manipur as enshrined in the Constitution.

The release said that the democratic process of dialogue initiated by the Home Minister, Government of India, that has seen three rounds of tripartite talk of the Government of Manipur, Government of India and the UNC has been subjected to the comfort, approach and position of the Government of Manipur and therefore the Nagas in Manipur under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) had served an ultimatum of 20 days from September 29 last for initiating the process for intervention with an 'alternative arrangement' outside the communal Government of Manipur.

This has been communicated through a press statement that featured in the media on October 4, and on other dates for the information of the general public, it added.

ANSAM further said that with the lapse of 20 days without any visible initiative by the Government of India for intervention with an alternative arrangement, ANSAM is compelled to henceforth revert to sustained agitation till the demand for an alternative arrangement is met.

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