PDA puts forward charter of demands
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 05 2014 :
Alleging that the Government of India has remained a mute spectator when issues like state sponsored terrorism and tortures on Nagas takes place, the People's Democratic Aliance (PDA) and Naga tribals in general have today served a four-point charters of demand regarding the cause of Nagas before Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
President of PDA, L Seth said that even though the Indo-Naga peace talks have been going on for the last 17 years based on "unique history of Nagas and its position", the Government of Manipur has intensely opposed and does everything in its power to derail and sabotage the Naga peace process.
"The decision and action of the Government of Manipur are highly communal, anti peace, violated and suppressed the democratic rights of the Naga people", stated the memorandum of the PDA.
"It is not possible for Nagas of Manipur to protect our land, history, culture, identity and time honoured traditional institution under the Government of Manipur", it added.
Recalling the unfortunate incident of August 30 which rocked Ukhrul town, the PDA president stated that the present situation in the district is an artificial creation of the State Government and not by the people.
He also said that on the very day, a peace rally was organized in support of the Indo-Naga peace talk in all the Naga district headquarters under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC) in which tens of thousands of Naga public participated.
While carrying out the peaceful mass rally in Ukhrul headquarters, the police commandos and Indian Reserved Batallions (IRBs) blankly fired at the rallyists killing two civilians, namely Mayopam Ramror (35) and Ramkasing Vashi (26) both from Teinem Tangkhul Naga village, Ukhrul district and seriously wounded other 35 innocent civilians.
The PDA told that it once again proved that force and violence are the only response of the state government to the Naga people and also the very purpose for revoking 144 CrPC and unwarranted militarization despite the strong protest of the people.
Regarding the issues faced by Nagas, the PDA has thus served certain demands which include early settlement of Indo-Naga issue, placing the state under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, immediate revocation of 144 CrPC from Ukhrul and withdrawal of the state police commandos and IRBs from the Naga areas particularly from Ukhrul district at the earliest.