TNL says no to relief camps
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, August 16 2023: Backing the United Naga Council, the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) has raised strong objections against the State Government's policy to set up and operate semi-permanent relief camps in Ukhrul district.

According to a statement, recognizing the urgency of the matter, the TNL held a joint meeting with Kuki Inpi of Ukhrul district and Kuki chiefs of Litan area at TNL Office, Ukhrul on August 8 and unanimously adopted the following three resolutions.

.1The plan to set up semi-permanent relief camps in Ukhrul district should be dropped and the concerned authority should make arrangements for permanent resettlement in other districts.

.2No IDPs from other district/State/country should be sheltered in Ukhrul district.

In case any IDPs are present, they should be immediately deported/repatriated to their respective places.

.3In the event of any IDPs taking shelter in temporary relief camps finding difficulties in shifting to their respective district, the TNL will provide assistance in shifting the IDPs.

The TNL has also submitted a memorandum to the Government of Manipur on the subject.

The memorandum reiterated the standing order of the UNC and reminded the concerned authority that from time immemorial, all Naga lands are either owned individually or by a collective (clan, village) .

"In recognition of the customary practices as stated, we stand armed with constitutional protection under the Vth Schedule of the Constitution read along with Article 371(c) of the Constitution prohibiting thereof trespasses on our lands from outsiders even by way of purchase", it maintained.

TNL further asserted that the arbitrary decision to acquire Naga ancestral lands to set up semi-permanent relief camps without the prior knowledge and consent of TNL would amount to brazen subversion of Naga's age-old customary practices and constitutional protection sanctioned to the people.

Notably, the press statement mentioned that following the directive of UNC, no semi-permanent relief camps will be allowed to be constructed in Naga areas of Manipur.

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