UNC picks flaws in Governor's speech
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 28 2012:
The United Naga Council in a statement issued by its publicity wing has strongly criticised the address of Governor Gurubachan Jagat to the Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 19 .
According to the UNC, the Governor's address mentioned agreements entered into by the State Government with armed group whereas it was silent on the democratic process of the tripartite talk that has been put in place during the year to address the demand of an alternative arrangement by the Nagas in Manipur.
Mentioning that the Governor's address reflects the lack of respect for civil and democratic movements of the Nagas, UNC alleged that the State Government's attitude seems to be promoting armed movements alone.
The UNC further said that the Governor's speech spoke on preservation of the territorial integrity of the State but remained silent on the second class citizenship that the Nagas and other tribals have had to endure and for which reason maintaining the territorial integrity amounts to endorsing the continued suppression and deprivation of the Nagas and tribals in the State.
The Naga body further said that the office of the Governor of Manipur had all these year failed in its Constitutional duties as stipulated under 371(A) which enjoins the Governor to submit an annual report to the President of India on the administration of the hill areas of Manipur.
The address lauds the State Government for its achievements, which in reality is non existent in the hills.
The stubborn irrelevance being indulged by the exalted office of the Governor is an insult to the Nagas and tribal people in Manipur, asserted UNC.
The Governor of Manipur cannot be Imphal and valley centric and must address the grim and grave issues that the hill areas are submerged in, it added.