AA Demand: UNC threatens to ban Natl Projs in State
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 06 2013 :
Giving one week's time to the Government of India for giving a positive response on resuming the tripartite talks on the demand for alternative arrangements for the Nagas in Manipur, United Naga Council (UNC) has threatened to ban all the constructions of national projects in Manipur if the demand is not met.
In a statement issued by its publicity wing, the Naga body said that the 3rd Council Assembly of UNC held at Leibi Maring village, Tegnoupal sub-division in Chandel district has seriously viewed the 'indifference' of the Government of India to the democratic process of tripartite dialogue involving Government of India, Government of Manipur and UNC on the demand for an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending settlement of the India Naga issue.
In spite of its assurance in the 6th round of talk held on August 30, 2013 at Delhi to convene the 6th round of talk within two months' time, the Government of India has not done so nor responded with any communication in the matter, UNC lamented.
UNC further pointed out that the Government of India had also committed vide Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) letter dated 31/8/2013 its firm and sincere intention to end the stalemate on the demands of the UNC and for taking the process to political level.
But the 29th October, 2013 reminder for timely convening of the next round of tripartite talk and the 48 hours ban on vehicular traffic on National highways observed by the Naga people to protest against delay in holding the next round of talk have not elicited any response from the GoI till date, it added.
While the dialogue process is left in a limbo, the policies of the Government of Manipur to usurp the land of Nagas and tribal continues unabated and in more aggressive measures.
Tribal villages in the hills are being placed under the jurisdiction of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur valley district police.
The creation of Jiribam district is being plotted by slicing off Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district.
Inspite of all these, the Government of India has remained a mute spectator to all these communal activities of the Government of Manipur, inviting agitation and protest, UNC alleged.
"It has therefore been decided that the ban on construction works on all National projects in Naga areas which was temporarily suspended w.e.f.3rd September, 2013 will be re-imposed indefinitely should no positive response be received from the GoI within one week's time", UNC threatened, while reiterating the directive that Nagas should refrain from participating or associating with any festival or mega event organised by the State Government on the pretext of which the political position of the Nagas in Manipur are being sought to be diluted.
"While taking up democratic and legitimate agitations for protection of our rights over our land and resources, identity, history and traditional practice, there is every likelihood that the communal GoM may adopt repressive measures to suppress our voices and rights.
In view of such situation, the Naga people are informed to remain alert and be in readiness to unitedly face any eventuality'', UNC exhorted.
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