Dimapur, July 7: The South Nagas’ Union of Nagaland State (SNUNS) has reacted to the news item that carried in certain local media on June 15 wherein Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam called upon the people to maintain peace and harmony while attending Tribal Peace and Harmony Award 2014-15 function at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong in Imphal.
Gaikhangam, in his speech spoke on the seriousness of issues concerning Meeteis separatist’s demand for Manipur sovereignty; Nagas’ demand for Integration and Kuki’s demand for separate homeland.
The SNUNS observed that Dy. CM Gaikhangam had intentionally avoided mentioning about the United Naga Council’s political-sever-ties with Manipur government and having separate administrative set-up.
“This UNC’s demand is the rightful and most genuine. Long years of living together with Meetei community have shown the incompatibility of living together under one administration.”
SNUNS Publicity & Information Cell in a press note said, majority Meeties have created four districts in their occupied Imphal valley, which is not even three thousand square kilometers, with forty assembly constituencies out of sixty Manipur Assembly Constituencies, whereby siphoning the central funds to themselves, and depriving Nagas and other tribal communities of equal opportunity for development.
“The recent three bills are another design of the majority community to politically to control the tribal people, their land and their political rights. The UNC has time and again expressed the grievances of the Naga people in action, but the government of Manipur and central government remained unmoved to the suffering Nagas and other tribal communities till date.”
Meanwhile, the SNUNS lauded the four NPF MLAs for tendering their resignation from Manipur Legislative Assembly for the cause of Nagas and other tribal communities. “As the time is running out, other Naga MLAs from political parties should also follow suit at the earliest to pave the way for addressing south Nagas’ plight.”
SNUNS also appreciated former late MP. Zhimomi of Nagaland State for proposing creation of two union territories in the present state of Manipur - one for Meeteis occupied valley and the other for tribal people occupied valleys and hills to solve the prevailing political problem in Manipur. “It is right political vision which is viable.”
Based on the booklet, ‘Why Not South Nagaland’ published in 1991, the SNUNS said, all the Nagas living in the Naga-contiguous land, but in different states, should understand that once the Nagas of Manipur are politically separated, it would be first step to solve the Indo-Naga political problem.
“To do so, first and foremost our Naga MLAs and Ministers in Manipur Legislative Assembly should resign en-mass, so as to bring solution to the constant ethnic conflict and political unrest due to unanswered South Nagas’ political aspiration and other tribal communities within shortest period of time.”
