Sangai festival : UNC does a repeat act....Asks all Nagas to stay away
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 04 2013: Asserting that GoM seeks to project a picture of social harmony through Sangai Festival in contrast to the reality of "social divide" on communal line in Manipur, the United Naga Council (UNC) has reminded Naga people of Manipur to stay away from the State sponsored Sangai Festival and other such programmes.

In continuation of the public statements and directives of July 1, 2010 Naga People's Declaration, the UNC reiterated that no frontal organisations, tribe organisations, range and village level organisations and individuals belonging to the Nagas should associate with or accord recognition to the unmandated MDCs who defied the Naga people's call not to participate in the imposed ADC election of 2010, which has been declared null and void.

A statement issued by the UNC today directed all frontal organisations, tribe organisations, range and village level organisations and individuals not to entertain or associate with or confer recognition/provide public platform to the Ministers of the Government of Manipur (GoM) and also to Naga MLAs & Ministers who had defied the resolution of the joint meeting of the UNC, Frontal Organisations and political parties held on Dec 15, 2011 that any political party whose policies, programmes and activities does not subscribe to the registered position of the Nagas will not qualify for the support of the Naga people in any manner whatsoever.

The UNC further reminded all individuals and tribes to stay away from the state sponsored Sangai festival and other such programmes because the GoM seeks to project a picture of social harmony in contrast to the reality of "social divide" on communal line in the State of Manipur which has been noted with concern by none other than the Prime Minister of India.

"Individuals who are associated with pseudo organisations using umbrella nomenclature of all tribals without the mandate of the people and espousing "Ching�Tam" amity merely to garner political patronage and for petty financial gains must be checked by the respective tribe councils and not allowed to dilute the political position of the Naga people on alternative arrangement which is substantiated by the social divide," it stated.

"The above strictures are symbolical and reflects the seriousness with which we uphold our aspiration for political empowerment, for the protection of our land and resources and for respect of our identity and dignity.

We are not against any particular personality or political party but the official positions they hold which negates the political position of the Naga people.

It would be gross stupidity and a self infliction to disregard this necessity for the sake of petty sanctions, schemes, contracts and favours knowing full well that it will lead to dilution of the people's declared position," it said.

This reiteration is in keeping with the spirit of the democratic process of dialogue of the Government of India, GoM and the UNC on the Naga people's demand for an alternative arrangement outside the GoM pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, the UNC said adding that the Regional/District organisations and tribe hohos will ensure that there is effective compliance of this directive in their respective jurisdictions.

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