INF meet dissects crisis in state, role of Nagas
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 18 2024: Imphal Naga Forum (INF), organised a day long special mega consultative meeting with Naga church leaders, ordained ministers, social activists, bureaucrats, students, research scholars, intellectuals and college professors at the conference hall of Tangkhul Baptist Church, here on Wednesday to address and deliberate on the present ethnic upheaval in the state.

INF information and publicity wing said that representatives from various churches and Naga tribes attended the gathering of the Nagas to assess, analyse and to introspect the prevailing violent ethnic unrest in the state.

The meet was moderated by professor Dr Chance Raman with INF convener Ambition Anth delivering the welcome address.

CHSRC, Ukhrul director Dr V Nelson, United College (Chandel) associate professor Dr Benjamin Gangmei, AMCO president reverend Simon Raomai, former UNC president G Gaingam, veteran journalist Valleyrose Hungyo and former Kamjong SP Ningam Siro, briefed the audience on varied aspects regarding the on-going conflict.

The release also informed that the meet discussed on finding a way out for the Nagas from the ongoing violent ethnic imbroglio affecting every ethnic groups in the state.

Delivering the key-note address Ashang Kasar reminded the audience that the Nagas are at the receiving end and groping in the dark, and stressed that the Nagas should come out from their cocoon of neutrality and assert their constitutional rights.

INF further said that the congregation of Naga leaders and intellectuals condemned the desecration and burning down of 500 churches belonging to Kuki, Naga and Meetei churches.

The meet also shared the pain and suffering of the deceased family of (late) Merangir Chiru, son of Someng of Kangchup Chiru village, who was brutally tortured to death by armed miscreants on July 15.The Naga body also said that an interactive session was also held where eminent Naga intellectuals like Jangamlung Panmei and Ashin Panmei shared their thoughts on the issues affecting the Nagas in Manipur.

The meet also deliberated the recent excommunication/expulsion of fellow Nagas including the Outer Manipur MP, from the Naga fraternity disallowing them to hold any public platforms, positions leadership and post in Naga society for a period of seven years and decided to make an appeal to the UNC to withdraw its resolution taken in the May 29 emergency meeting in Chandel, it said.

The release also informed of those gathered calling for empowerment of the hill people by extending the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution or devolution of Article 371C or referring for special provision exclusively for hill people in Manipur to the Law Commission of India to reform, rectify, and strengthen the provision.

INF also submitted a representation to Governor Anusuiya Uikey calling for early restoration of peace, equanimity, normalcy and serenity in the state of Manipur in the aftermath of violent ethnic conflict that has destroyed lives and properties and rendered more than 60,000 people homeless, it further informed.

Comment