With 20 days deadline set to expire on October 19 for Alternative Arrangement....
UNC kickstarts mobilisation drive
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, October 13 2011: The United Naga Council (UNC) has begun its mobilization in 'Naga areas' in Manipur regarding the 'Alternative Arrangement' model while asking the Nagas to remain prepared for any eventuality after October 19 .

Sources informed Newmai News Network tonight that under the aegis of the UNC the Naga leaders held its meeting in Chandel district headquarters on October 12 and a similar meeting was held in Ukhrul district on today.

The sources said 20 days time have been given to the Government of India to fulfil the demand for the 'Alternative Arrangement' for the Nagas in Manipur.

"We are mobilising the people in Naga areas asking them to remain prepared to face any eventuality if our demand is not met by October 19," said the sources.

It is worth noting that on October 3 last, the United Naga Council (UNC) had threatened to agitate in the manner it had violently resorted to last year if the demand for the 'alternative arrangement' outside the Government of Manipur is not granted within 20 days counting from September 29 .

The UNC said it had communicated with New Delhi on September 29 in connection with the 'alternative arrangement' for the Nagas in Manipur.

A rally staged in Senapati district in pursuit of the Alternative Arrangement model-File photo

Highlighting the background on the demand for the 'alternative arrangement', the UNC had said, " When the tripartite talk of the government of Manipur , government of India and the Nagas in Manipur under the aegis of the United Naga Council(UNC) was initiated by the Hon'ble Home Minister of India in September 2010, the agitation programme launched by the Nagas in Manipur to demand for the intervention of the government of India with an alternative arrangement outside the government of Manipur was withdrawn as a confidence building measure for all concerned.

Now after more than 1 year of submission of the memorandum in demand of alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur and three rounds of tripartite talk, there has been no forward movement in addressing the core issue of the demand.

On the other hand, the democratic process of dialogue has been subjected to the comfort, approach and position of the communal government of Manipur," said the UNC today.

It had also said the situation in the present state of Manipur, it had been reiterated, is fragile, sensitive and delicate with grave potential for communal confrontation and violence which could possibly lead to catastrophic consequences.

The UNC added that the democratic process of tripartite talk had kept in check the injured sentiments of the Nagas in Manipur with the expectation of a peaceful negotiation.

But now the Nagas are of the considered view that nothing positive can come out of the tripartite talk.

But the suppression and exploitation of the Nagas in particular and the tribals in general by the communal government of Manipur cannot be allowed to continue any further, the Naga body stated.

"Therefore in a communication to the Government of India on the 29th of September, 2011, the United Naga Council , in response to the former's request for a "concept paper" on alternative arrangement for the consideration of the govrnment of Manipur, has requested the government of India to initiate the process of intervention with an alternative arrangement outside the government of Manipur for the Nagas in Manipur within 20 days of that date and should the same be not forthcoming, the Nagas will have no option but to revert back to sustained agitation till our demand for an alternative arrangement is met.

This stand has been taken because the demand for alternative arrangement cannot be a matter of consideration by the government of Manipur and to urge for an early intervention by the government of India", the UNC had cautioned.