Phungyar's district status demand gets nod
UNC says 'no', wants committee to withdraw demand immediately
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 01 2011: The Phungyar District Demand Committee today withdrew the April 15 deadline set to the government for the formation of Phungyar district by bifurcating four sub-divisions from the present Ukhrul district.

Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) has reportedly asked the district demand committee to withdraw their representation submitted to the government immediately saying that the demand for a new district at this point of time in Naga/hill areas of Manipur is the handiwork of adversaries to vitiate and derail the alternative arrangement, claiming that the process for same (alternative arrangement) is in progress peacefully and democratically.

The Phungyar District Demand Committee withdrew the April 15 deadline after a meeting with the Chief Minister today.

Representatives of the demand committee comprising of Wungnaoshang Keishing called on the CM and submitted a memorandum containing the resolution of April 5, held at the official quarters of the Phungayar MLA that had set the April 15 deadline to fulfill their demands.

Representatives of the committee led by the MLA today met the Chief Minister and discussed their demands, the MLA said after the meeting.

He said that during the hour long meeting, Chief Minister, O Ibobi Singh, briefed on the government's stand on the formation of the new district.

He informed them that the matter was discussed in a meeting of the cabinet held yesterday, Wungnaoshang said.

Government has considered the demand as reasonable.

But it would not be possible for the government to fulfill their demand within the deadline.

Government has to observe the pros and cons of the formation of the new district.

It will take some time, Ibobi convinced them, the MLA said.

Considering the "positive response" response to the demand, and the CM's appeal, the district demand committee has decided to withdraw the April 15 deadline, the MLA went on to inform the media.

Stating that the meeting was attended by two MLAs, Dr Kh Ratankumar and M Prithivraj, and Outer MP, Wungnaoshang and representatives of the committee claimed that the two MLAs and MP also extended their support to the district demand committee.

Phungyar District Demand Committee has been demanding formation of Phungyar district by bifurcating four sub-divisions, Phungya, Kamjong, Kasom Khullen and Sahaphung from the present Ukhrul district.

Meanwhile, Newmai News Network adds: As the demand for the creation of Phungyar district becomes shriller, the UNC has asked "the so called Demand Committee (s)" to withdraw their representation submitted to the government (s) immediately.

The Phungyar District Demand Committee had even threatened of resorting to drastic forms of agitation if the district is not created by April 15.Creation of Phungyar district will amount to bifurcating Ukhrul district.

In the face of this development, the UNC without naming any particular committee, has informed Newmai News Network tonight," It is implicit that the demand for new district (s) at this point of time in Naga/hill areas of Manipur is the handiwork of the adversaries to vitiate and derail the Alternative Arrangement process which is in progress peacefully and democratically.

The UNC views this political gimmick seriously and as totally unhealthy and hence, urged the so called Demand Committee (s) to immediately withdraw their representation (s) submitted to the government (s) in the interest of the people" .

The United Naga Council reminded that the Naga people in the state of Manipur have severed all political ties with the government of Manipur demanding the intervention of the government of India for an Alternative Arrangement outside the government of Manipur.

"As a follow up,the government of India intervened by convening the tripartite talk on December 3 last year at Tahamzam (Senapati) knowing the sharp social and political division prevailing between the two communities in the state of Manipur" .

Comment