Joint Civil Societies, Delhi (CJCSD) Protest on arrest of UNC leaders

2 December 2016 , Delhi :

The Committee for Joint Civil Societies, Delhi (CJCSD) was formed on 29 November 2016 with an objective to register protest against the unprecedented arrest of the United Naga Council (UNC) leaders Eno. Gaidon Kamei (President), and Eno. Sankhui Stephen (Information and Publicity Secretary) by the Manipur Police at the behest of the Mr. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur. Since then, the Committee has been ardently seeking various means for immediate release of the arrested Naga leaders. On 30th November 2016, delegates of this committee met Mr. Kiren Rijijiu, MoS, Ministry of Home Affairs, and had apprised him about the virulent politics Ibobi Singh has resorted to polarize his supporters in view of the upcoming Assembly Election in Manipur.

Ibobi has capriciously announced to create SADAR HILL district for the kukis and JIRIBAM district for the Meiteis by inclusion of large junk of Naga territories and populations, and as a resentment against the move the apex organization of the Nagas in Manipur, i.e. UNC has called for economic blockade on the two national highways 39 & 52 passing through the Naga areas in Senapati and Tamenglong districts respectively. This is a calculated move designed by communal fascist Ibobi to pit the Nagas against Meiteis and Kukis in view of the upcoming state Assembly Election in February 2017.

To show our disturbed concern on the grave situation in Naga areas created by Ibobi and his cohorts, the Committee is organizing Sit-in Protest since 1st December 2016 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi that the authority of the centre government may take notice and do justice to the Nagas. It shall continue until our voice is heard, Naga leaders are freed, and assurance on protection of integrated Naga areas is given by government of India.

Meanwhile, effort is being put to meet Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India to make an impression that the land, identity and politics of the Nagas are subjects of the current ongoing political talks between Government of India (GoI) and National Socialist Council of Nagalim, thus, India must rein its institutional agencies like Manipur State from creating any problems to the Naga-India political talk.

Also, appointment has been sought to meet Mr. R.N. Ravi, the interlocutor of the government of India in the Naga-India political talk to further enquire why has he remained silent thus far even though Ibobi is meddling with the subject that is on the table of the political talk?

The silence of the government of India to the unfolded alarming situation in Naga areas speaks volumes of GoI’s indifference to the problems of the Nagas. The government of India knew very well that other than resorting to economic blockade Ibobi has left no choice to the Nagas, since he has lost all his political, ethical and legal sense to understand language of polity.

In total disregard to four Memorandum of Understanding(s) signed between the Naga People and the government of Manipur over the years that no SADAR or JIRIBAM shall be created without the consent of the Nagas, Ibobi has often the time raked up the same issue when the election is nigh. Since yesterday Ibobi has imposed 144 CrPc in Senapati Naga district without any concern for negotiation and to the lives of civilians. Not to forget that the implementation of the same penal code in recent years by Ibobi has taken the life of four Naga youths and injuring many in Naga district of Senapati and Ukhrul.

The Committee and the Naga people here in Delhi resolved to fight for the rights of the Nagas, and sit here in protest against Ibobi Singh and his politics. We reiterate Eno. Gaidon Kamei and Sankhui Stephen are not criminal but leaders of the Naga people. Release them!!!

Issued by
Chawangbo Chalunmai
Secretary, Committee for Joint Civil Societies, Delhi (CJCSD)