Delhi rally decries 'anti-Naga politics'
Source: The Sangai Express
New Delhi, December 05 2016:
The Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) under the aegis of the Naga Students Union, Delhi (NSUD) today took to the streets condemning Ibobi's avowed anti-Naga politics and slammed the State Government for attempting to criminalise the Naga political issue.
The Naga civil societies in Delhi have been observing an indefinite sit-in protest since the arrest of UNC president, Gaidon Kamei and information secretary, SK Stephen.
The two UNC leaders were arrested by Manipur police on the false charge of causing disturbances and damaging public properties following the peaceful total shut down called by the UNC along the National Highway in protest against the creation of Sadar Hills District.
Slamming the political insincerity of the Government of India in allowing the Government of Manipur to meddle in the peace process between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), CJNCSD said that the Naga political issue, including the sensitive question of Naga ancestral land, territorial integration, culture and identity, is a matter of political negotiation with the Government of India at the highest political level and the interference of the Government of Manipur is absolutely unwarranted and uncalled for.
CJNCSD also condemned the political persecution of Naga leaders and warned against unleashing ethnic violence which is likely to follow in case the arrested UNC leaders are not released immediately.
CJNCSD also termed the arrest of the two UNC leaders as nothing but a provocation and an insult on the Nagas.
Accusing the State Government of adopting double standard, CJNCSD said that the State Government is targeting the UNC leaders while leaving the valley-based organisations scot free which have been championing violent counter blockade in the valley and warned against militarising the Naga areas.
Chawangbo Chalunmai, general secretary of NSUD, stated that "The issue of Naga ancestral land and territory is always political in nature and no attempt of the State Government can reduce the issue to a legal nature.
The imposition of Section 144 CrPC along the National Highways instead of initiating genuine political dialogue in order to resolve the issue is absolutely uncalled for" .
Convenor of CJNCSD Lakpachui Siro said that "The aggressive anti-Naga identity politics being pursued by the Ibobi Government is nothing but an invasion on Naga Nationhood, culture and identity.
The Nagas cannot be cowed down by any brutal force of the State and the Nagas shall defend their right, land and identity to the last man standing" .
A large number of Nagas in Delhi marched through the streets of Jantar Mantar, chanting in unison, "Release UNC leaders without any condition", "Communal Manipur, down down down", "Ibobi, stop persecuting Naga leaders", "Stop criminalising Naga political issue" and "Long live Naga Territorial integrity" .
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