Nagas rally against three Bills and for peace accord
'Take historic accord to logical conclusion'
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, September 15 2015: A mass rally was carried out today at Senapati district headquarters in condemnation of the three Bills and the two resolutions passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 .

The mass peace rally was participated by more than ten thousand people, starting from Senapati public ground to Vakho (new Karong) and back to the public ground, where a public address was delivered by eminent civil organizations like the UNC, ANSAM, NWU and NPO.

Banner read 'we support Indo-Naga peace accord'; 'We demand withdrawal of anti-tribal Bills', 'Tribal MLAs resign for your people,' 'Don't encroach on tribal lands', 'Expedite peace deal' and others.

Later, a memorandum jointly signed by UNC, ANSAM, NWU, NPMHR, NPO, tribe hohos, of Poumai, Mao, Maram, Thangal and Zeliangrong, Senapati Zone, and other frontal organizations of Senapati district was submitted to the Prime Minister of India through the Senapati DC.

During the protest rally, business establishment downed shutters and vehicular movement within NH-2 and local vehicles remained off the road.

The day was also declared "Genna" (abstaining from all normal works) for all citizens of the district.

The rally being taken out at Senapati headquarters

ANSAM President Seth Shatsang spoke on the controversial nature of the three Bills and resolution against the Indo-Naga peace accord.

While condemning the repressive policies of the State Government by attempting to mute the voice of the tribals, the student leader said that, the Bills are directly contradicting Article 371(C) of the Constitution which empowers the tribals with certain powers to protect their land, identity and culture from the clutches of foreign hands.

The Naga Women Union president Tabitha while speaking reiterated that the Naga women are opposed to creating tension in Manipur by passing such Bills and resolution in favor of a particular community in the State.

During the public address after the mass peace rally, Gaidon Kamei, president of UNC demanded taking the historic Indo-Naga peace accord of August 3, 2015 to its logical conclusion based on uniqueness of Naga history and its situation.

Gaidon Kamei said that the Nagas welcome the Indo-Naga peace accord signed on August 3 and appreciate the dynamic and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RN Ravi, the interlocutor of the Government of India for Indo-Naga political talks and the political wisdom of the collective leadership of the NSCN-IM Th Muivah and Isak Swu.

Calling it a "gracious day for the people of Senapati", Gaidon Kamei said, that despite long years of struggle through arms, the Government of India realized the uniqueness of the Naga history, through the framework agreement which the communal Government of Manipur has tried to sabotage and derail the peace process.

"The land you own is not given by the British nor the Government of Manipur, but it is God given.

We should protect it boldly by being united," pointed out Gaidon, sensitizing the people about the, 'Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act of 1960, which was amended during the recent Manipur Assembly, by omitting "Except in the hill areas", thereby stripping the ownership of the land of the tribals.

The Nagas will never claim but respect the land of others but in case if anyone or any forces or community (s) attempt to grab Naga ancestral homeland, the Nagas will never stay as silent spectators.

He appealed to all Naga political groups to come together by forgetting all the past.

During the speech, Gaidon acknowledged the support of the Nagaland Chief Minister, Mizoram's Chief Minister and PA Sangma, former Lok Sabha Speaker to the tribals of Manipur.

He also lashed out at O Ibobi stating that his strength lies in his State security forces and militarization of tribal areas and killing of innocent civilians but the strength of the Naga and tribal people rests on the unique history of the Nagas and its situation.

Later, Gaidon also read out the memorandum, strongly condemned the merciless killing of 9 innocent civilians at Churachandpur consequent upon the passing of anti-Naga and tribal Bills and resolutions on August 31 in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Naga People's Organisation expressed its gratitude to the frontal bodies, tribe hohos, district bodies, general public and village leaders for successful conduct of the said public protest rally held today at Senapati DHQs.