Stop targeting Nagas : UNC
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, February 02 2024: The United Naga Council (UNC) has once again appealed today "to the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo group" to immediately desist from targeting, provoking and attacking the Nagas, their homes and properties in Imphal valley and also in the peripheral hill areas.

"Should this appeal go disrespected in Imphal valley, we will have no option but to call upon the Nagas in Imphal valley to vacate for taking up further appropriate measures thereafter", the UNC said in a statement made available to Newmai News Network tonight.

"On the same line, should the Kuki-Zo group continue with their targeting of Nagas, free access to Naga township and villages and free passage across Naga areas will have to be prohibited" .

The UNC said it has issued this statement in view of several incidents and situations that have been happening, wherein the Nagas have been targeted in the context of the prevailing situation in Manipur.

The statement said that the position of neutrality taken by the Nagas in the quest of peace and communal harmony in the wake of the May 3, 2023 violence brought about the following casualties amongst many others.

Detailing UNC said that on May 24, 2023, four Naga women from Ukhrul were attacked and assaulted by a mob in Imphal.

On June 18, 2023, a Liangmai Naga house was burnt down at Leimakhong by Kukis.

On July 16, 2023, a Maring Naga woman was shot dead at Sawombung, Imphal and the body was found mutilated, it further said.

On September 5, 2023, a Liangmai farmer was beaten by Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) cadres on Imphal-Tamei road for refusing to pay illegal tax.

On September 27, 2023, "outrageous provocation and an attempt to murder involving blatant gun firing against Naga leaders by one individual self and proclaimed Kuki National Front (KNF) cadre at Kangpokpi.

On December 3, 2023, three Tangkhul men were beaten up by armed Meiteis at Sawombung, Imphal, the UNC also said.

On December 11, 2023, two Rongmei Naga girls were beaten up at Bishnupur Bazaar.

On December 11, 2023, one Naga driver from Tamenglong was beaten up in Imphal.

On December18, 2023, four Naga girls working in a beauty parlour were kidnapped in Imphal," the UNC also said.

On January 29, 2024, a Tangkhul Naga boy was kidnapped from Mantripukhri, Imphal.

On January 31, 2023, two Zeliangrong Nagas were kidnapped and held hostage from Bishnupur district, the UNC added.

In addition to these incidents, the UNC also said the following "unwarranted and unacceptable acts" were also perpetrated upon the Nagas alleging that Nagas were subjected to unwarranted cutting off inter village roads/blockade/construction of bunkers/checking/frisking/extortion of taxes along the National Highways and inter-district roads by armed Kuki militants and womenfolk.

Frisking/checking, violent behaviour, kidnapping, looting and extortion were meted out against Nagas in Imphal valley; collection of money from citizens on highways by meira paibis in the name of waging war against a community, the UNC added.

"In all these acts of violence, intimidation, disrespect and insult, the common admission of mistaken identity have been cited.

In the interest of peace inspite of the extreme provocations, Nagas have addressed the many sensitive situations and sought to resolve them through customary laws and practices.

Yet time and again our people have been attacked with impunity, making mockery of the many agreements and resolutions for restoration of peace and good relations," the UNC further said.

It then said the "Meitei legislators, in the face of the Kangla capitulation on January 24, 2024 cannot claim anymore to be the Government of the entire State of Manipur and has limited its powers, functions and relevance to the valley and the Meitei community only".

Not to speak of reining in the non-State actors, it has allowed itself to be dictated and co-opted, the UNC alleged.

"It is no wonder that the attacks on Nagas in Imphal valley have not been prevented or addressed with State instruments as it should be with a State Government in place," the UNC stated.

"The Meitei legislators and the Government of India owe it to the people of India to explain what it has been doing for the last 9 months with the situation going from bad to worse day by day, while Nagas have become victims of its neutrality to the conflict," the UNC further stated.

"In view of the above, the United Naga Council issues this statement particularly to the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo group to immediately desist from targeting, provoking and attacking the Nagas, their homes and properties in the Imphal valley and also in the peripheral hill areas.

Should this appeal go disrespected in the Imphal valley, we will have no option but to call upon the Nagas populace in Imphal valley to vacate it for taking up further appropriate measures thereafter", the UNC cautioned.

On the same line, should the Kuki-Zo group continue with their targeting of Nagas, free access to Naga Township and villages and free passage across Naga areas will have to be prohibited, the Naga body further cautioned.

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