UNC gives it back to Cong
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 01 2026: Reacting to the recent statement of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on the 'arbitrary' creation of seven new districts and the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, the United Naga Council (UNC) said that political rhetoric should not inflame an already fragile situation.

In a statement, the UNC appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint and refrain from mudslinging.

It also called on all communities to stand together to safeguard collective security, counter external aggression and proxy arrangements, and work towards lasting peace in the State.

The Council stated that the SoO pact, signed in 2008 with Kuki militant groups under the Congress regime, gave legitimacy and safe havens to armed groups without a time-bound roadmap for resolution.

"It has functioned like a dormant volcano planted in the State and exploding in its time as we are witnessing and experiencing today," it added.

Saying that serious questions remain unanswered on why SoO camps were placed around Imphal valley and in the foothills of strategic Naga areas, the UNC alleged that this encirclement has direct implications for the security of the capital and indigenous lands.

Further, the statement of Congress party also negates the will of the entire indigenous community in the State by justifying the SoO pact, which has been denounced by all, the UNC added.

Stating that it is high time for the Congress party to realize and work for setting a wrong right, it added that these two 'political misadventures' that was made in their regime for the advantage of one community, the Kukis, have put the welfare and security of the indigenous population of the State at stake.

The UNC has apprised the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, that the pending tripartite talk must be resumed in good faith, and the SoO agreement that has outlived its purpose should be abrogated without delay, it said.

Saying that the Council has nothing to do with political mudslinging between parties, the UNC maintained that they, however, are deeply concerned by the 'inflammatory' statements of Congress spokespersons Dr Loken and Dr Ratankumar 'justifying what has proven to be a Frankenstein policy affecting the Nagas and the State at large' .

On the arbitrary creation of seven new districts, the UNC said that there had been social unrest in the State in the backdrop of creation of seven new districts by bifurcating parent districts on December 8, 2016 during the Congress regime.

It added that districts were bifurcated 'without the informed consent and knowledge of the stakeholders-dishonouring the four memoranda between Government of Manipur and the Naga people and the assurance from the Government of India in 2011, that no decision would be taken without consulting all sections of the people and all stakeholders, including Naga bodies representing the Nagas' .

Claiming that the then Congress regime bypassed those memoranda and commitment, it reminded that an over 139-day economic blockade was launched as a 'last resort' after all Constitutional means failed.

Instead of addressing the people's grievances, the UNC claimed that the Congress Government chose to ignore the voice of the affected indigenous communities.

"Only after the new BJP led Government was installed in the State and at the invitation of the Union Home Ministry in 2017, the tripartite talks involving Government of Manipur (GoM), Government of India (GoI) and UNC began," it said.

Stating that as many as 13 rounds of tripartite talks among the GoM, UNC and the GoI have been held to address the issue, it added that the last meeting was held on January 30, 2025, during which an assurance was given that a concrete proposal would be placed by the Government of Manipur in the next round of talks, which was expected to be held in April 2025 .

If Dr Loken and Dr Ratan Kumar think that there is nothing wrong with the district creation, they and the Congress party should be held responsible for the unrest, economic loss, vitiating the land and identity and trust deficit it triggered, it said.

Policy decisions cannot be divorced from their consequences, it said and maintained that the tripartite talks on the issue of district roll back have been pending since the State Government was put under suspended animation.

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