UNC units asked to enforce R-Day boycott call
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Senapati, January 22 2022: A day after making a declaration that Naga people in Manipur will abstain from participation in the coming Republic Day celebration, the United Naga Council (UNC) has asked all its units to "strictly enforce" the directive in their respective jurisdictions.

"This directive is issued in pursuance to the declaration of the United Naga Council (UNC) presidential council meeting held on January 19 at Senapati districts headquarters that, to demonstrate our resentment against delaying and frequent backtracking on the political settlement of the historic Indo-Naga Framework Agreement even after more than 6 years of signing, the Naga people of Manipur will abstain from participation in the ensuing India's Republic Day celebration on January 26, 2022 as a part of its non-co-operation movement," the UNC said on Saturday.

Therefore, "tribe hohos, district apex, Naga frontal and regional organisations are requested by the UNC that this directive is strictly enforced in their respective jurisdictions" .

The UNC emergency presidential council meeting held on January 19 took a decision that "the Naga people will not participate in the Republic Day celebration in all Naga areas in Manipur as a part of the non-cooperation movement towards the government of India.

UNC had given a clarion call to all Nagas across borders to come forward and stand together to "defend our inalienable rights to live as a dignified people".

UNC further said that its measure is to demonstrate a strong displeasure to the government of India for various reasons.

A UNC statement which was made available to Newmai News Network on Saturday night said that the "emergency presidential council meeting" also resolved to declare that the "Naga-Akbar Hydari Accord (Nine Point Agreement) signed on June 28, 1947, was unilaterally abrogated by the Government of India on the ground that 'it is a commitment of a by-gone era'" .

The UNC's "emergency presidential council meeting" also resolved to declare that "it was the government of India that forcibly created Nagaland State in 1960, without the consent of Naga people and Naga National Council (NNC)" .

The meeting further resolved to declare that it was the government of India that put the "newly" created Nagaland state under President's Rule and "coerced" a section of the NNC leaders to sign the Shillong Accord on November 11, 1975 at Shillong "without" the consent of Naga people.

"While the talks were going on in a neutral country, it was the government of India that invited the NSCN leaders to New Delhi in 2005, to expedite the Indo-Naga political settlement.

But the talks still make no headway," the UNC alleged.

The Naga body then said that the "historic" Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, "between two entities (India and Nagas)" to serve as guiding principle to bring early political solution to the Indo-Naga political conflict.

However, the UNC said that the declaration of the agreement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi - "the agreement is a shining example of what we can achieve when we deal with each other in a spirit of equality, respect, trust and confidence...We mark not merely the end of a problem but the beginning of a new future.We will not only try to heal wounds and resolve problems, but also be your partner as you restore your pride and prestige.

It is a lesson and inspiration in our troubled world"- still remains unfulfilled even after six years.

UNC went on to say that the "recent massacre" of Naga youths at Oting village, Mon district, Nagaland state on December 4 and 5, 2021 "is yet again a barbaric display of genocide and an undeclared war against the Nagas by the Indian Army under the cover of the Armed Forces Special Power (AFSPA) Act, 1958" .

The Naga body added by saying, "Such draconian law be repealed at the earliest" .

UNC then alleged that all the appeals made by the people for an early Indo-Naga political solution remained brazenly unheeded by the government of India.

It further said that the Naga people will never accept any piece meal or imposed solution outside the letter and spirit of "historic Indo-Naga" Framework Agreement.

"In view of the above facts, it has been decided to demonstrate a strong displeasure of the Naga people over delaying of the mutually agreed historic Framework Agreement," the UNC said, while adding, "Hence, the Naga people will not participate in the ensuing Indian Republic Day celebration in all Naga areas in the present state of Manipur".

The UNC's "emergency presidential council meeting" then "unanimously" re-affirmed the support of the Naga people to the on-going political talk between "the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)" .

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