Manipur’s Naga areas launch protests

EMN Dimapur, September 9 [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Naga tribes in the four Naga-dominated areas of Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati in Manipur have launched protests, on September 9, to “to register our strong protest against the unabated assault on the rights of the Naga people and tribals by the government of Manipur with the sole motive of keeping us under perpetual suppression.” The protests have been called by the Naga Women’s Union of Manipur. The protests encompass a blanket ban on vehicular traffic on national and state highways and national project works. During a rally in Ukhru1 on August 30, two persons were killed while more than 34 civilians were reportedly injured. 15 private vehicles were damaged, while citizens were allegedly assaulted by Manipur security forces. The August 30 rally was being held in demand of revoking of section 144 CrPc which was imposed in Ukhrul for almost two months. The curfew was lifted on September 8.Among other charges of ‘suppression’ the Naga organizations in Manipur have been alleging against the government of Manipur, they allege that the state is establishing Village Development Committees to supersede the village council without the involvement or endorsement of village council/village authorities “to destroy the village republic system of the Nagas and the tribals.” Likewise, they accuse the state of extending the MLR and LR Acts, 1960 to the Hills through gazettes publication, passing the bills in 2012 for separate Revenue Directorate for the Hills to extend the Jurisdiction of the Revenue Tribunal Manipur to Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong. This is a clear move to get MLR and LR Act legitimized in order to take away the ancestral land of the tribals and indigenous peoples, the organization have alleged. Another issue is the new Land Use Policy of Manipur (2014) introduced in Manipur based on the Mizoram-model. “Its policy is seemingly intended to improve productivity and minimize demand on land resources. In the case of Mizoram, it serves purpose since Mizoram is ‘entirely a constituent of tribal population and land where as in Manipur it is a different situation,” the organizations stated in a press release on Tuesday. “There is no khas land in the tribal lands, in the hills. Here, in Manipur tribal population is 41% and tribals own about 90% of the geographical land. Every village has its own distinct territorial boundary and jurisdiction. So, introduction of NLUP is another ploy to dilute the land ownership of the tribal people” the press release stated. They also allege that 120 tribal villages of Senapati under Saikul are included under Imphal and Thoubal district police stations “to dilute the distinct district boundaries.” “Instead of listening to the voice of the people and addressing the grievances and concern of the people, the state government continues with its militarization policy of the Naga areas. We appeal to all who believe in justice and democracy to raise voice against this despicable acts aimed at keeping the Naga people and the tribals under deprivation and subjugation. This belligerent attitude of the Government of Manipur, with Government of India as a bystander is condemnable,” the organizations stated. The Naga community has demanded “cessation of militarization of Naga areas” and “expediting the Indo Naga peace-process for an acceptable and honourable settlement.” Likewise, they have demanded “taking forward the tripartite talk process for alternative arrangement, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.” The community has also demanded that the Manipur government ‘ensure’ that it does not “subvert the constitutional rights and protections of the tribals and Nagas in all spheres educational, employment, ownership of land and natural resources, development opportunities etc.”