Ukhrul, March 13, 2010: Reiterating support to the ongoing Indo-Naga talks between the Collective Leadership of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and Government of India towards hammering out a political solution to the vexed Naga issue, a consultative meet was convened here at Town Hall Ukhrul on March 11. The meeting attended by frontal organisations of Tangkhul like Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (Body of village chief/headmen) vowed to defend and preserve the unique identity of Nagas and to resist any settlement which is short of unification of Naga territories.

�Peace and People� as its theme, the consultative meet held under the aegis of United Naga Council declared its firm stand to uphold the political aspiration of the Naga people towards integrating all Naga areas under one administrative unit.

A statement of the press communique signed by the frontal organisations has cautioned the ongoing Indo-Naga talks saying, �The integration of all Naga areas under a single administrative unit should be the integral component of the final settlement between the collective leadership and New Delhi�.

There was an exchange of hope among the Tangkhul bodies that Govt of India would sincerely demonstrate its political will to resolve the long cherished dream of the Naga people to live together as one family with honourable settlement acceptable to both India and Nagas.

The consultative meeting also resolved to reject the Manipur District Council Act in its present form and content, alleging that it does not protect and safeguard the rights of the hill people.

In the presence of social activists representing Naga organisations like Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, Naga Women's Union Manipur, the meet decided to urge the Hill Areas Committee to immediately defer the enforcement of the Act and to ask the elective representatives to review it.

Comment