Ukhrul rallies against 'anti-tribal' Bills
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, September 09 2015 :
A mammoth rally was held today at Ukhrul against the 'anti-tribal' Bills passed on Aug 31 by the State Assembly.
The rally was organised by Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL).
The rally began from Mission ground, Alungtang and converged at TNL ground, Wino bazar via Tangrei junction.
The rally culminated with a public meeting at TNL ground where a joint declaration was made.
Tangkhul frontal organisations like TNL, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long in a joint declaration rejected MLR&LR (7th Amendment) and the resolution adopted by the Assembly on Aug 31 and said it should be opposed by the Tangkhul Naga community without any reservation.
The Govt of India should understand that the Nagas and Meiteis in Manipur have distinct tradition and culture and land rights since time immemorial.
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The Tangkhul community will never surrender their birth rights and continue to fight for the land rights and livelihood unceasingly in the spirit of Naga Nationalism, the declaration read.
The declaration also said that the sole alternative left for peace and harmony in the State is to impose President's Rule in Manipur before further chaos and loss of lives.
The Tangkhul Nagas deeply honour the Indo-Naga Peace Accord signed between GoI and NSCN-IM's collective leadership in Delhi, the declaration said.
MLA K Ranjit's atrocious remark on 'non existence of Nagas' in Manipur is an irrational insult to the peace loving Nagas of Manipur.
Such deception and manipulative remarks are liable to severe penalty, it said.
MLA Preshow Shimray and MLA Victor Keishing must resign within the deadline announced by the Tangkhul community and UNC.
If the MLAs fail to do so, the consequences should be borne by them (the MLAs), it said.
Prominent social activists, students and civil society organisations leaders, ADC members, headmen and representatives of non-Manipuri organisations took part in the rally as well as the meeting.
The demonstrators also observed a one-minute silence in honour of the Tribal Martyrs who lost their lives at the hands of State security forces on Aug 31 and Sept 1 .
A memorandum was also submitted to the Governor seeking immediate redressal of the grievances of the people against the three infamous Bills.
Addressing the gatherings, former president of TNL, Stephen Angkang said the time has come for the tribal communities to unite and protect tribal ancestral land and rights.
Senior Advocate Daniel Ramsan also addressed the gatherings.