Bandh premeditated, says UNC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 23 2012:
The United Naga Council (UNC) has categorically stated that the indefinite bandh called by the Film Forum Manipur and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council is a premeditated one.
A statement issued by the UNC conveyed that the Naga civil societies have already stated their stand on the reported incident of the manhandling of actress Momoko by one Livingstone at Chandel on December 18 .
The guilty should face the hands of justice.
Nagas have also requested to call off the bandh.
But the indefinite bandh enforced in Imphal valley of Manipur with effect from midnight of December 21 by the Film Forum Manipur and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and others in protest against the reported December 18 incident has been so consummately orchestrated by communal forces and the communal Government of Manipur so that the life, property and movement of Nagas have been left without any protection, alleged UNC.
In the last 42 hours, Nagas preparing the Churches for Christmas celebration in Imphal areas were not allowed to continue their works in the Church premises.
Coffins of dead bodies being taken to villages were disrespectfully banged upon and their free passage disturbed.
People have been beaten up at Khongjom.
A Naga village at Lanthung Ching has been provoked into physical clash with warnings to leave the valley and go back to the hills.
Buses and passengers carrying Nagas from Imphal to the native villages have been forcibly stopped by mobs in the valley in full view of State police forces and the passengers pulled down and divested of their personal belongings, which were burnt and destroyed.
Vehicle belonging to tribals and Nagas have been stoned and shot at with catapults.
Church goers have not been allowed to go and attend the Sunday service.
There is no Government and no rule of law.
The threat of violence that have been freely aired in seminars, workshops, media on a daily basis from Imphal valley is being acted out.
The communal forces in Imphal valley have been equating the impending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue with a "time bomb" in public discourses and have been stridently inciting sentiments against the same, alleged UNC further.
The threats freely given out in the public domain and within earshots of the State Government have finally come into place.
Why were prohibitive orders not passed when the State Government was very much aware that such rioting and violence were going to happen, asked UNC.
The State Government has remained a mute spectator which implies that the violent drama has been sponsored by it.
To add to the unfortunate situation, His Excellency, the Governor of Manipur remains deafeningly silent while the Constitution of the country and the rule of law is being overrun.
The Manipur State Home Minister is on record that the issue of manhandling of Actress Momoko came to the Government's notice only after 48 hours had elapsed.
The bandh was announced all of a sudden without any prior information.
The preplanned attacks indicate without any doubt that the communal forces were waiting for an excuse that was provided by the reported Momoko incident.
The main target of the communal forces was to disturb the celebration of Christmas.
It is a premeditated attack on Nagas and on Christians, alleged UNC.
The aberration of one man has been heaped upon the entire Naga people.
A localized incident, which had no political or communal issue has been capitalized and blown out of proportion very obviously to disturb the impending Indo-Naga settlement.
We reiterate again that Nagas are not communal.
The law of the land must address the crime.
What we are saying is that we are different people with different cultures and ways of life and we cannot be together.
What we want is the peaceful parting of ways and to march on to the future as good neighbours.
Should the attacks on our people not be stopped, we will have no option but to adopt our own course of actions, warned UNC.
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