Our Correspondent
Dimapur, September 20
Signalling that it will soon resort to strong protest against the Manipur government the United Naga Council (UNC) has asked to all the Naga tribal people to stand united and to remain alert with preparedness to defend “inalienable” political rights from repressive, oppressive and suppressive measures of Manipur state forces or adversaries.
It also asked to all the Naga public to extend all out support and co-operation to its call in near future.
“Signing of the Indo-Naga Historic Peace Accord on August 3, 2015 based on unique history of the Nagas and its situation was a hard earned political achievement for bringing lasting peace in the region,” UNC said.
Meanwhile, the UNC expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Naga tribal public for responding positively to the call of the Council for mass Naga public rallies organised on September 9 at Ukhrul headquarters, on September 14 at Chandel, on September 15 at Tahamzam (Senapati) and on September 17 at Tamenglong to welcome the “Indo-Naga historic Peace Accord” signed at New Delhi.
The UNC also said the rallies were held to condemn the “most controversial anti-Naga tribal bills” and resolutions being passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 and consequent upon killing of 9 civilians including a minor and injuring hundreds of civilians on August 31 and September 1 while defending inalienable rights of the tribal people and its political aspiration in Churachandpur.
The UNC also appreciated tribe presidents, district apex organisations, Naga frontal organisations, regional frontal organisations, Church leaders, politicians, social workers, village headmen and chairmen and the general public for huge turn out in the rallies.
Tribal groups to intensify stir against three bills
Agencies
IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 20
Tribal groups in Manipur have decided to intensify their agitation in the hill districts in protest against the three bills passed by the assembly on August 31. The groups have warned of launching an indefinite economic blockade if the bills are not scrapped. However, the Okram Ibobi Singh government has repeatedly claimed that there was no clause that would hurt the sentiments and interests of the tribal communities.
A few hours after the bills were passed on August 31, violence broke out in the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-dominated Churachandpur district. At least nine tribal protesters were killed, most of them in police action, in Churachandpur, while residences of eight Kuki MLAs and an MP were torched by the mob, which termed the bills as ‘anti-tribal.’
Several tribal civil bodies have been calling bandhs in the hill districts since then and the United Naga Council has imposed a 15-day ban on construction of all national and international projects, including the trans-Asian railway network in Tamenglong district. A committee set up by Kukis in Sadar Hills in Senapati district on Friday decided to kick off a nine-day demonstration at different places in the area from Monday.
