Naga bodies oppose Kuki MLAs' proposal
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 22 2023: Chandel Naga Peoples' Organisation (CNPO), Sirti Upa Ruh/Monsang Tribe Union (SUR), Maring Uparap Assembly/Maring Tribe Union (MUA), Uipo Marou Kou-kartuo/Khoibu Tribe Union (UMK), Bujuur Aangchang-pu/Moyon Tribe Union (BU), Aimol Tribe Union (ATU), Chothe Lim Abom/ Chothe Tribe Union (CLA), Lamkang Naga Kver Kunpun/Lamkang Tribe Union (LNKK), Tarao Tribe Union (TTU) and Anal Naga Tangpi/Anal Tribe Union (ANT) have raised strong objection to inclusion of Chandel and Tengnoupal districts in the creation of post of chief secretary and DGP or its equivalent for the five hill districts as proposed in the memorandum submitted by the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 16 .

In a letter addressed to the PM jointly signed by CNPO president David Moyes, SUR president Ng Benethan Monsang, MUA general secretary L Modun Charang, UMK president Joseph Hongsha, BU president Francise Chinir, ATU president Munthuireng, CLA, president Minthing Thao, LNKK president SK Moningam, TTU president Bejuan Mathangmanao and ANT president Phamhring Sengul, the Chandel organisations observed that the on-going ethnic violence in the state is a serious setback to initiatives for development and progress of Manipur that successive governments had undertaken.

"We empathise with the victims of violence which remains unabated even to this date.

However, Aimol, Anal, Chothe, Khoibu, Lamkang, Maring, Monsang, Moyon and Tarao Naga tribes, who are original land owners in the erstwhile Chandel district but now forcefully bifurcated into two districts - Chandel and Tengnoupal - against our interest by the then Government of Manipur in 2016 to appease certain communities, are surprised to note that the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs have blatantly included our districts in their demand for separate chief secretary and DGP or its equivalent posts without consulting the Nagas," it said.

The bodies mentioned that the Naga populace of Chandel and Tengnoupal despite being temporarily separated by the Manipur state administrative division has been persistently advocating and endorsing the historic Framework Agreement signed between NSCN-IM and Government of India on August 3, 2015 based on unique history and the situation of the Nagas.

While the whole Naga people are yearning for an enduring, honourable and acceptable solution under the FA, any kind of administrative arrangement for any non-Naga community affecting an inch of Naga area will not be acceptable at any cost, it stressed.

"Therefore, we strongly oppose the demand for inclusion of Chandel and Tengnoupal districts for the creation of the post of chief secretary and DGP or its equivalent posts for the five hill district as demanded by 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs in a memorandum submitted to your esteem office on August 16 and it should not be conceded," the Naga bodies reiterated.

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