Imphal, October 29 2010: A large number of Nagas turned out at the Senapati rally on October 26 demanding expedition of the ongoing Naga peace process.

The rallyists submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister in this regard.

However, it was not clear through which channel the memorandum was submitted.

The memorandum to the Prime Minister said that bringing an honourable and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga issue will promote peace in the entire South Asian region.

The United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women Union, Manipur (NWUM), Naga Peoples' Organisation (NPO), Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) and Zeliangrong Baudi (Manipur) are the signatories of the memorandum.

The Naga organisations expressed concern that the ongoing "peace process has been tardy and that the opportunity for lasting peace that lies 'before us' could be wasted for both the great Indian Nation and the Nagas if the same is not translated into a reality with sincerity and political will " .

The memorandum to the Prime Minister also said that arresting and detention of "Naga political leaders at this juncture" is against the spirit of the cease fire and "may create an environment that is not conducive to the peace process" .

Organized by the UNC, which is spearheading the Naga integraton campaign, the memorandum urged the PM to take forward the peace process to its logical conclusion at an early date.

Drawn from different parts of Senapati district, the rallyists including students assembled at several points of the district headquarters and marched upto the town ground where a public meeting was held during which leaders of various Naga civil bodies from all Naga-dominated districts under UNC spoke.

They held placards reading "Don't disturb the peace negotiation," "13 years Indo-Naga ceasefire-Time for international communities to intervene" and "Sincerity and Pragmatism, key to peaceful resolution," and shouted slogans on similar agendas.

UNC president Samson Remei said "today's huge rally has defeated the unfounded words of those self-interested people, who said only a few Nagas want Naga integration" .

Samson, wanted by the state govt with Rs 1 lakh reward tag in connection with UNC-sponsored economic blockade on NH 39-53, expressed serious concern over violation of ceasefire ground rules by both parties.

The arrest of peace negotiators by the centre may trigger side effects and may lead to derail the peace process, cautioned Samson and called upon all to adhere to the agreed ground rules to ensure early solution to the peace process.

While M Dili, president of the Senapati based Naga People's Organisation ( NPO) M Dili said the Nagas don't want to delay further time to bring about a permanent solution as 13 years have already gone by, Chandel Naga People's Organization (CNPO) president ST Nunghlug said the talks should not be taken as elusive and both parties should see for its logical conclusion .

"One day we will see, we will achieve no matter how hard is our journey, Nagas are one and we are united.

We will fight because this is our birth right," reacted Naga Hoho's joint secretary G Vashum.

During the rally-cum-public meeting traffic flow along National Highway 39 was blocked by Naga volunteers at Senapati district headquarters.

Business establishments were also closed.

The Nagas memorandum sent to the Prime Minister said "it is our strong belief that the arrest and detention of Naga political leaders at this juncture goes against the very spirit of the cease-fire and may create an environment that is not condusive to the peace process" .

" As we participate in this mass rally, we urge your good office to take forward the peace process to its logical conclusion at an early date and thereby usher in an era of peace and stability to the Indian sub-continent," the memo signed by eight Naga leaders including Samson, said.

Tuesday rally came in the wake of UNC's heightened campaign for an alternative administrative arrangement without any link with the State Government.

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