Imphal, Jan. 22: Three former presidents of the United Naga Council (UNC) have accused Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh for the ongoing indefinite economic blockade in Manipur.
“The economic blockade was initiated by the Chief Minister,” alleged KS Paul Leo, Samson Remei and L Adani, all former UNC presidents, in a joint press statement which was made available here adding “Only his wisdom and realisation can stop it.”
UNC has been imposing indefinite economic blockade on National Highways in Manipur in protest against the move to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam into full fledged district since November 1 midnight last year.
The joint statement claimed that the Chief Minister was on record stating that land belongs to the state and not to any community, which was against the very spirit and letter of Article 371 C of the constitution that gave cognizance to the land rights of the tribals in Manipur state. It alleged that the chief minister from his official throne had gone on to state that there are no Nagas in the State of Manipur, thereby ‘negating our identity that has evolved through history, land and political consciousness.’
The statement said four Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) was signed with the Government of Manipur and Naga organisations which stated that creation of new districts would not be done without consulting the stakeholders. There was also an assurance from the Government of India, based on the declaration of Ibobi, Chief Minister of Manipur in the presence of the Union Home Minister, Chidambaram and UNC delegation, that such sentiment would be respected, it added.
However, it lamented that Ibobi chose to desecrate the MoUs and assurance knowing fully well that extreme protest would follow and aggravate social divides.
“What noble purpose inspired this man and his government to create not only 2 districts which have been vehemently opposed but 7 districts on a midnight drawing lines that would divide peoples, that would alienate people from their ancestral domain, that would disturb peaceful co-existence of communities,” the statement questioned.
It said the stakeholders are those whose lives, land, livelihood, situation and opportunities would be affected by such decision. Stating that the position was democratic, fair and constitutional, it said those MoUs and assurance did not emerge from the magnanimity of the Government of Manipur but each of them were extracted with agitations and with self inflicted pains.
“The issue of land is very dear to the tribals and Nagas. Land gives us our identity. Our culture, way of life and value system evolves from our relationship with the land. Land is our present and land is our future,” it added.
