Nagas rally demanding solution based on FA
Don't touch our land call reiterated
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 09 2023: The United Naga Council's people's rally in all Naga inhabited districts of Manipur today put pressure on the Government of India to resolve the Naga political issue based on the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 .

Participated by tens of thousands of Naga citizens in the districts of Senapati, Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong, the people and the Naga frontal organisations including the UNC, CNPO and NPO submitted memoranda addressed to the Prime Minister via the respective Deputy Commissioners.

Through the memoranda, the UNC Manipur which encompasses 20 Naga tribes reiterated and urged the Government of India to implement the FA in its true spirit and bring about a lasting solution based on it.

Nagas rally demanding solution based on FA

The memorandum said that the Naga people will not accept disintegration of "Naga land" or any act that will adversely affect the interest of the Naga people while attempting to address demands of any other community.

Any misadventure will have serious ramifications that will provoke further senseless violence with different communities, it added.

The rallyists held placards that read "Implement Naga Framework Agreement", "Solution to the Indo-Naga issue lies in the political will of Government of India", "Respect the unique history and situation of Naga", "Nagalim and India should be friendly Nations", "Govt of India stop playing divisive politics", "Indian leader must walk the talk", "No solution no rest", "26 years of negotiation with 7 Prime Ministers is enough", "No further bifurcation of Naga areas", "We demand immediate political solution", "Respect Naga historical and political rights" etc.

Senapati: Tens of thousands of Senapati citizens joined the Naga people's rally that started from different directions and converged at the district council office where a public meeting was held.

Addressing the mammoth gathering, Ng Lorho, president of the UNC stated that the thousands of people gathered for the rally expressed the earnest desire of the long awaited political solution based on the Framework Agreement.

The Nagas have struggled for more than 60 years yet, no political solution has arrived till now, he said, recalling that the ceasefire agreement between the Govt of India and the NSCN was declared in 1997 on the grounds that the "Indo-Naga issue" is political and not a military problem.

He reiterated that the FA was signed between the Govt of India and the NSCN, recognising the unique history and position of the Nagas meaning "the Nagas were never part of India or Burma or any other power, neither by consent nor by conquest and that sovereignty lies with the people, which means sovereignty of Nagalim lies with the Naga people" .

The FA agreed that there will be peaceful coexistence of the "two entities"--Indians and Nagas embracing all Nagas wherever they are, including all political groups, he said.

The UNC president asserted that the Flag and the Constitution are a constituent part of sovereignty and therefore, there should be no ambiguity about it.

He said, "The Framework Agreement was signed by the NSCN as an independent entity and an independent Nation with the Govt of India and not as a subordinate of the Union of India" .

The FA is an important landmark, however, he said after 8 years of signing the agreement, the details and the executions to be worked out and implemented shortly is yet to be implemented, and as such, the political will and sincerity of the Government of India is in question.

He stressed and cautioned that the tolerance and patience of the Nagas must not be taken as weakness.

In the event of any collapse of the political talks, the Government of India shall be held responsible.

Chandel: People of 11 Naga tribes took out a rally at Chandel district Headquarters, organised by the UNC and Chandel Naga People Organisation (CNPO) .

The rally started from Maha Union Higher Secondary School playground and culminated at the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

Representatives of the Naga people submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister to Deputy Commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar.

At the rally, CNPO president RD David Boyes said the Government of India must show its willingness to bring a solution based on the Framework Agreement at the earliest.

Different interlocutors, for one or other reasons have stretched the talk between the Government and the NSCN (IM) for 26 years without bringing a lasting solution.

The Government of India must clearly inform whether it is willing or not willing to address the demands of the Naga people, said David.

Responding to a query from the media, David said if the Government of India gives separate administration by bifurcating Nagas' land to the Kukis without consulting the Nagas first, then the Nagas as a whole will not remain silent.

Solution to the present unrest in Manipur should not be based on fabricated history and false propaganda.

The unrest should have been avoided if NRC (National Register of Citizens) was implemented early, he said.

David said the Government should bring about the best solution to the current crisis which wouldn't hurt the sentiments of all communities.

Ukhrul : Tens of thousands of denizens took to the streets of Ukhrul town demanding a solution based on the Framework Agreement.

The rallyists braving the rain began marching from two different points, Mission Ground and Dungrei Junction and converged at the main gate of Mini Secretariat office, Ukhrul where a public meeting was held.

During the rally, all shops and other establishments remained shut and vehicular movements were restricted until the public meeting was over.

UNC's former president Kho John who is advisor to UNC maintained that the FA was signed to uphold and safeguard the rights of the Naga people.

Social activist, Ngachonmi Chamroy urged the Naga communities to renew their spirit of Nationalism to achieve their aspirations.

ANSAM leader Kapani Lorho, Tangkhul Shanao Long president Thingreiphy Lungharwo and other community leaders took part in the rally.

The UNC submitted memoranda addressed to the Prime Minister via Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul Zuringla Kengoo.

Tamenglong : Thousands reaffirmed UNC's stand and demanded an acceptable and honourable solution to the "Indo-Naga political issue" based on the FA at Tamenglong.

The rally started at 10 am and culminated at 12.30 pm.

All shops and other establishments remained shut during the rally.

A memorandum addressed to the PM was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner.