ANSAM reaffirms stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 27 2011: The presidential council meeting of the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) held on August 22 at Ukhrul district Hqs resolved to affirm its stand that not an inch of Naga area would be bifurcated away under any circumstances for creation of any new district in Manipur.

To avoid any controversy and unrest in Manipur, such a demand should be put to rest by the Government by understanding the stand and sentiment of the Nagas that it would impinge on the ancestral land of the Nagas.

The council meeting also reaffirmed that the demand for creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam should have consensus and be honourable to the Naga people, conveyed a press release issued by ANSAM.

It reminded the Government of Manipur to honour the MoUs it signed with Naga organisations in 1981, 1992, 1996 and 1998 .

The decision of the incumbent Government to demarcate the existing boundary before declaring Sadar Hills as a full fledged district may be welcomed but not by means of demarcating any Naga area(s) for creation of any new district(s) .

However, the State Cabinet decision to constitute a Committee on Reorganisation of Administration and Police District Boundary to streamline administration in the State is not welcomed by the Nagas for Nagas know best about their ancestral land and boundaries.

"Nagas are not against any community or tribe but Nagas will be against any community/tribe/Government who tries to divide the Naga people and grab its land and rule in hegemony over the people and its land", ANSAM said.

Decrying the act of imposing restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC along NH 53 (now NH 37) in Tamenglong area, ANSAM appealed to the State Government to withdraw the restrictions immediately, failing which the association would take its own course of action and the Government would be held responsible for any untoward incident, added the release.

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