Stay away from R-Day celebration, UNC tells Nagas of Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, January 21 2022: The United Naga Council (UNC), in its "emergency presidential council meeting" held on January 19, 2022 at "Tahamzam, Senapati district headquarters", has decided that "the Naga people will not participate in the ensuing Indian Republic Day celebration on January 26, 2022 in all Naga areas in the present State of Manipur as a part of the non-cooperation movement towards the Government of India" .

Therefore, a clarion call is given out by the UNC to all Nagas across borders to come forward and stand together to the end to "defend our inalienable rights to live as a dignified people" .

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

The UNC statement which was made available to Newmai News Network tonight 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 also resolved to declare that "it was the Government of India that forcibly created Nagaland State in 1960, without the consent of the Naga people and the 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 the Naga people.

"While the talks were going on in a third neutral country, outside India, 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 said that the "historic" Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, "between two entities (India and Nagas)" to serve as a 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 of India, 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.

The UNC added that the "recent massacre" of Naga youths at Oting village, Mon district, Nagaland 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" .

All the appeals made by the people for an early Indo-Naga political solution remain brazenly unheeded by the Government of India, said UNC and added 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 at the delay of the mutually agreed historic Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015 between two entities recognizing sovereign rights of the Naga people as the basis for an honourable solution of Indo-Naga political talks," the UNC said, while adding, "Hence, the Naga people will not participate in the ensuing Indian Republic Day celebration on January 26, 2022 in all Naga areas in the present State of Manipur as a part of the non-cooperation movement towards the Government of India" .

The UNC "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)".

And at the same time, the meeting took serious note of "continuous denial of the legitimate political rights of the Nagas and dishonoring and imposing various bi-lateral political agreements between the Nagas and the different regimes of India over the years" .

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