Procession by Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi

New Delhi, 06th December, 2016 :

Mass Procession In Delhi In Protest Against Ibobi’s Avowed Anti-Naga Politics

The Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) under the aegis of the Naga Students Union, Delhi (NSUD) today took to the streets condemning Ibobi’s avowed anti-Naga politics and slams the State Government for attempting to criminalise the Naga political issue.

The Naga civil societies in Delhi have been observing indefinite sit-in protest since the political arrest of the UNC President, Gaidon Kamai and Information Secretary, S.K. Stephen. The top two UNC leaders were arrested by the Manipur police on the false charge of causing disturbances and damaging public properties following the peaceful total shut down called by the UNC along the National Highway in protest against the creation of Sadar Hills District.

CJNCSD slams the Government of India’s political insincerity in allowing a free hand to the Government of Manipur to intermeddle into the ongoing Indo-Naga Political Dialogue. The Naga political issue, including the sensitive question of Naga ancestral land, territorial integration, culture and identity, is a matter of political negotiation with the Government of India at the highest political level and the interference from the State Government into the process is absolutely unwarranted and uncalled for.

CJNCSD condemns the political persecution of Naga leaders and warns against unleashing of avoidable ethnic violence which is likely to follow in case the arrested UNC leaders are not released immediately. CJNCSD terms the arrest of the top two UNC leaders as nothing but a provocation and an insult upon the Nagas.

CJNCSD in particular takes exception to the double standard of the State Government in targeting the UNC leaders while leaving the valley-based organisations scot free who have been championing violent counter blockade in the valley and warns against any further provocation by militarising the Naga areas.

Mr. Chawangbo Chalunmai, General Secretary, NSUD, states, “The issue of Naga ancestral land and territory is always political in nature and no attempt of the State Government can reduce the issue to a legal nature. The imposition of Section 144 CrPC along the national highway instead of initiating genuine political dialogue in order to resolve the issue is absolutely uncalled for”.

Mr. Lakpachui Siro, Convener, CJNCSD, states, “The aggressive anti-Naga identity politics being pursued by Ibobi Government is nothing but an invasion upon Naga nationhood, culture and identity. But the Nagas cannot be cowed down by any brutal force of the State and the Nagas shall defend their right, land and identity to the last man standing”.

Whopping number of the Nagas in Delhi marched through the streets of Jantar Mantar, chanting in unison, “Release UNC Leaders Without Any Condition”, “Communal Manipur, Down Down Down”, “Ibobi, Stop Persecuting Naga Leaders”, “Stop Criminalising Naga Political Issue” and “Long Live, Naga Territorial Integrity”.

Lakpachui Siro (Convener)
Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD)