UNC announces 48 hrs bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2014: Protesting Central Govern-ment's alleged failure to intervene into Ukhrul issue, the United Naga Council (UNC) has announced a 48-hours vehicular bandh in Naga areas along NH-2, NH-37 and NH-150 with effect from the midnight of July 24 .

Informing that educational institutions, medical, power and water supply and postal service would be exempted from the purview of the bandh, UNC in a press statement urged the Naga people to remain alert to face any eventuality at this critical time and situation.

UNC also requested the general public to extend cooperation and show solidarity towards the legitimate demands which is being allegedly ignored deliberately.

The press statement said that a 24-hour peaceful total bandh in Naga areas had already been clamped with effect from the midnight of July 15 in protest against the 'highly vitiated' situation allegedly brought about by the State Government after promulgation of Section 144 of CrPC in Ukhrul district headquarters.

The sentiment of the Naga people on the alleged milita-rization of Ukhrul town with the deployment of Manipur police commando and IRB personnel was demonstrated loud and clear, the statement said and added that even after the lapse of 10 days, Ukhrul town is still under 'siege' disrupting normal life, social functions and church programmes and creating a warlike situation undermining the democratic rights of the people.

The UNC therefore submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to intervene into the issue by granting an alternative arrangement, outside the Government of Manipur pending settlement to the Indo-Naga issue, the press statement said.

The representation had also sought Central Government's intervention to revoke 144 CrPC, remove State forces from Naga areas and ensure that the GoM observe the ground rules of the ceasefire in letter and spirit within five days.

However, the Centre has not given any positive response so far as the custodian of the Constitution, UNC said.

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