Nagas rally against Sadar Hills district demand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19 2011: Raising strong objection against the demand for carving out Sadar Hills district from the present Senapati district, mass rallies were taken out in Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel district headquarters today.

Ukhrul : The rally at Ukhrul district headquarters was participated enmasse by Tangkhul frontal organisations including students, citizens, farmers, housewives, civil societies and other various organisations.

The rally initiated by the United Naga Council was spearheaded by the Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Naga Long and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long.

After the rally, the participants announced a firm declaration that not an inch of Nagas' land can be touched nor severed for creation of Sadar Hills district without consent of the Naga people.

The Tangkhul Nagas also strongly condemned the alleged divisive policy of the Ibobi-led Government to sow the seeds of communal hatred among tribals who have been otherwise co-existing in harmony.

They called upon the Government to respect the various MoUs signed between the Government of Manipur and Naga social organisations in 1981, 1982, 1996 and 1998 .

A public meeting underway at the Senapati ground

Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), in a press release, said that the proposed Sadar Hills district cover many Naga villages of Liangmai tribe, Tangkhul, Thangal, Maring, Mao and Poumai.

More than 47 Tangkhul-Naga villages are situated within the boundary of the proposed district.

It claimed that the Nagas have been living in the land of their forefathers since time immemorial unlike the Kukis who allegedly migrated mostly from ChinBurma (Myanmar) province.

The TKS categorically stated that the Kuki refugees in Manipur have no rights to blow their own trumpet to claim a district or homeland by bifurcating an inch of the Nagas' land without consent of the Nagas.

It cautioned the Government of Manipur to look into the issue thoroughly, and also not to take any hasty decisions.

Chandel : At Chandel district headquarters, Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) assembly speaker Kh Loveson Monsang read out the declaration.

The declaration decried the alleged divide and rule policy of the State Govt.It also accused the State Government of playing communal card and throwing bone of contention between different tribes of the State.

Pointing out that four MoUs have been already signed between Naga organisations and the Government of Manipur, Loveson Monsang alleged that the State Government, in spite of MoUs, have been scheming to carve out land from Naga areas without knowledge and consent of the Naga people, inciting the tribals against each other in the process.

It said that the Nagas wish for peace and harmony with the neighbouring communities that is based on mutual respect for each other's rights over land and its traditional ownership.

"The collaborators of the State Government are fishing troubled water and this will only cause grievous damage to the fraternal relationship between the communities We respect the genuine aspirations and rights of all communities in the State just as we wish that our aspirations and rights are also respected by the others", Loveson read out the declaration.

It is the position of the Nagas in Manipur that tribal unity and cooperation is the strength with which the Nagas can collectively resist the alleged hegemony of the State Government which has denied all constitutional rights to the tribals, it asserted.

Participants of the Chandel rally carried placards which read "No bifurcation of Naga areas", "Stop divide and rule policy", "Tribals wish to be one" etc.

Senapati : Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) observed that the Congress-led Ibobi government is "irresponsible" and powerless in dealing with the issue of Sadar Hills.

Tamenglong : At Tamenglong headquarters, the rally organised by the District Protection Joint Forum Tamenglong was participated by around 5000 people including students, public leaders and the general public.

The rally started from Tamenglong mini stadium and finished at Haipou Jadonang Park where a similar declaration was read out.

A memorandum jointly signed by the District Protection Joint Forum Tamenglong, Zeliangrong Union, Zeliangrong Baudi, ZSUM, Zeliangrong Pui Boudi, ZYF, ZWU and others was also submitted to the Chief Minister through the Tamenglong Deputy Commissioner.