UNC calls 10 days eco blockade from Nov 2
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2015 : Continuing with its stand against the three Bills as well as the two resolutions passed by the State Assembly on August 31, the United Naga Council has decided to impose a 10 day economic blockade from midnight of November 2 to midnight of November 12 .

During the ten days period, a ban will also be imposed on all National and international projects including the Trans-Asian Railways.

In a statement issued to the press today, general secretary of UNC, S Milan said that the decision to impose the blockade was taken during the UNC presidential council meeting held on October 29, with president of the UNC, Gaidon Kamei in the chair.

After seriously reviewing the situation and the overall political situation prevailing in Manipur particularly in the hill areas, post the passage of the three Bills on August 31 as well as the two Resolutions, the decision to impose the blockade was taken, added the statement.

Detailing, UNC said that the passage of the three "anti-tribal Bills and the two Resolutions by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31," led to the death of 9 civilians including a minor on August 31 and September 1 .

They were killed while defending the inalienable rights of the tribal people, said UNC and added that their bodies are still lying at the morgue of Civil Hospital, Churachandpur.

To protest the Bills, the Nagas and the tribal people have organised a series of bandhs, rallies, dharnas, public curfew and submitted representations to the Government of India for its intervention on the passage of the three Bills and the two Resolutions of the State Assembly, reminded UNC.

However the Government of India has been maintaining a stoic silence and thus UNC is compelled to take up the democratic form of agitation to draw the attention of the Government of India for immediate political intervention to protect the rights of the tribals.

The statement elaborated that as per the resolution of the UNC presidential council meeting on September 7, 2015, official intimations were sent to all the seven Naga Congress MLAs on September 9 to resign for failing to defend the rights and interest of the Nagas and the tribal people both inside and outside the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

A joint meeting was also convened on September 14, 17 and 19 but none of them have tendered their resignation, defying the directive of the Naga people, alleged UNC.

The UNC presidential council meeting reaffirmed its previous resolution and banned the movement of the seven Naga Congress MLAs in Naga territory until they resign from the Assembly.

Recalling the earlier directive, UNC said that tribe hohos and the Naga public have been informed not to give them any position and platform in Naga society including Church, women, students, organisations/associations and at the village level.

Social sanction will be imposed on anyone defying the directive, added the statement.

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