UNC reinforce anti ADC stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09, 2011: The United Naga Council (UNC), while reiterating the Nagas' decision to sever all political ties with the State Government, has come out strongly against all related functionings of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in the 'Naga areas' of Manipur.

Despite the objections raised by Nagas against the election to the ADCs, the State Government held the ADC polls in two phases � May 26 and June 2 last year � in the hill districts of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong under heavy security cover.

The ADC had been lying in a state of comatose for the last two decades following a decision passed by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC), a statute body of the Manipur State Sssembly formed by the tribal legislators.

Incidentally many Nagas, who were elected in the ADC elections, have not been able to function at their respective areas due to the threat perceptions.

This being the case, they are putting up in the heart of Imphal under security cover.

The UNC, which is also demanding an alternative administrative arrangement for the Nagas which will have nothing to do with the Government of Manipur, said "the rejected Manipur district election was declared null and void and under any circumstances it shall not be allowed to function/operate in the Naga areas".

Anything related to ADC functioning in the Naga areas in Manipur shall not be tolerated and those defying the people's decision shall be treated as "anti-national" warned the UNC, in a statement released today.

The UNC has also strongly opposed a decision passed by the State Cabinet on November 3 last year and the subsequent Government order issued on November 18 last year effecting the transfer of the District Rural Development Agencies ( DRDA) of the five hill districts to their respective ADCs .

The Government order signed by a senior IAS officer said the chairmanship of the five DRDAs will be the domain of the chairman of the ADCs.

A conglomerate of several Naga civil bodies in Manipur, the UNC termed this order as a "direct challenge to the Naga People's Declaration".

It asked all concerned to eschew the path of confrontation.

On December 3 last year Naga leaders representing various civil bodies under the aegis of UNC joined a tripartite talk with the Central and State Government on certain issues at Senapati district headquarters.

Though the UNC said that alternative arrangement was the core issue of the talk, the State Government said the matter was not listed in the dialogue agenda.

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