NSUD demand release of UNC leaders

New Delhi, 11th December, 2016:

DEMANDING FOR UNCONDITIONAL AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ARRESTED UNITED NAGA COUNCIL (UNC) LEADERS AND A TOTAL CONTEMPT AGAINST THE DECLARATION OF 7 NEW DISTRICTS IN MANIPUR BY MANIPUR GOVERNMENT

In the midst of vehement protest by Naga Civil societies in all the Naga inhabited areas against the attempt to bifurcate Nagas’ ancestral land and the subsequent illegal arrest of UNC leaders, Eno. Gaidon Kamei (President, United Naga Council) and SK Stephen (Information and Publicity Secretary, UNC) by the Government of Manipur, the same government under the leadership of Okram Ibobi Singh decided to forcefully create 7 new districts in Manipur! This reorganization and creation of new districts in the state drives a wedge into the heart of the Naga inhabited areas fragmenting their homeland and reducing them to minorities in their own land. This calculative move of the government of Manipur has further inflamed the already tense milieu in the state.

In the backdrop of this uncalled for and irresponsible move of the Government of Manipur, the Naga Students’ Union, Delhi (NSUD) through an Executive Council decision called for an Emergency General Body Meeting on 10th of December 2016 at New Delhi, to reaffirm its stand against the injudicious decision taken by the Government of Manipur.

The forceful creation of 7 new districts in Manipur without the consent of the Nagas clearly violates the series of Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the Government of Manipur and the Naga people on:

1. The 14th December 1981 between the Government of Manipur and all Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), whereupon it was agreed that it “will take population, ethnic affinities, compactness of the area or any other suitable criteria into consideration before recommending the readjustment and demarcation of the boundaries thereof.”

2. The 10th of Nov. 1992 between Government of Manipur and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) reiterated that “not an inch of Naga area would be bartered away with under any circumstances.”

3. The 27th September 1996 between the Government of Manipur and United Naga Council (UNC) and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), agreed that “Not even an inch of the Naga inhabited areas and its original land should be touched while creating any new district.”

4. The 23rd June 1998, between the United Naga Council (UNC) and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), where it was agreed that on the proposed Sadar Hills issue, “all sections of the people including the representatives of UNC, ANSAM and other organizations” will be consulted.

5. The 24TH November 2011, a written assurance was given by the chief Minister of Manipur in the presence of the Union Home Minister that no decision will be taken on the report of the district re-organization committee without consulting all sections of the people and all stakeholders including the bodies representing the Nagas.

However, a total disregard of the legal agreements and failure to comply with the MoUs may incite violence and ethnic clashes between the various communities in the region. Therefore, the Naga leaders and public question the wisdom of the Manipur Government and hold it responsible for re-fueling the communal tensions in Manipur.

The house, henceforth, strongly condemned all the political developments in Manipur state which is fashioned against the interests of the stakeholders, Nagas and indigenous people at various levels. It condemns the illegal arrest of UNC leaders by Government of Manipur, and in the strongest sense, the house condemns the creation of 7 new districts in Manipur state which is forcefully carved out of the indigenous Naga territory in Manipur.

Thus, the house unanimously demands for,

1. An immediate release of UNC leaders.

2. The intervention of the Central Government of India for revoking the decision of the Government of Manipur with regard to the creation of 7 new districts in Manipur state.

3. That, not an inch of the traditional Naga territory shall be transferred to other states or districts without the prior permission and consent of the people.

4. That, the legislative and executive decision of the state machinery should not disrupt and infringed upon the long established rights and wishes of the people.

5. The Government of India to sincerely address and honor the recently signed Peace Accord between the NSCN and the Government of India on 4th of August 2015 at New Delhi so as to resolve once and forever the pending Indo-Naga issue.

That, in case of any repercussions that comes out of a failure to address these demands, the Government of Manipur will be held solely accountable.

Thus, after a long and intensive deliberation the house unanimously resolved to conduct a Mass protest rally against the Government of Manipur’s decision to create 7 new districts and against the illegal arrest of UNC leaders on the 14th of December 2016 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. It urges all the Nagas in Delhi to come forward in solidarity for the fight against the violation of the rights of the indigenous people by the Government of Manipur.