DIMAPUR, JUL 27 (EMN): Voicing deep resentment and disappointment that the concerns and demands of the Naga people in Manipur are yet to be addressed by the Government of India (GoI) even after 39 days of the temporary suspension of the economic blockade, the United Naga Council (UNC) today dashed off a representation to the Prime Minister stating that it would be forced to resume its agitation if the centre fails to intervene in the issues that have repeatedly been submitted before it.
In the ‘ultimatum’ addressed to the PM, the UNC reminded that the economic blockade which had been enforced by the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) in protest against the imposition of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act 2008 on the tribals, and later compounded by the NSF issue and the killing of 2 students at Mao on May 6 by the Manipur State Armed Forces, had been temporarily suspended in deference to the request of the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Leader of the Opposition. However, it said this has not been reciprocated with any proactive response by the Government of India, adding that ‘the confidence and good will towards the GoI have therefore been considerably eroded before the Naga people’.
In view of this, the UNC once again placed before the PM its demands: Institution of a judicial enquiry into the May 6, 2010, incident at Mao Gate where two students were shot dead and more than a hundred peaceful protestors wounded by the Manipur State Armed forces, immediate withdrawal of the imposed section of 144 CrPC and demilitarization of Naga areas by removal of the Indian Reserve Battalion and Manipur Police Commandos, removal of ‘wanted’ tag and fixing of rewards imposed on Naga leaders and dissolution of the Autonomous District Councils.
Demanding the GoI’s intervention on these issues within five days, the UNC ultimatum said it would have no other option but to resume the temporarily suspended agitation if its concerns are continued to be ignored by the centre.
It also sought to make it ‘explicitly clear’ that ‘this step is the expression of our democratic rights and will be intensified in different forms and at different level till the issues are addressed in the right perspective’. The UNC further reiterated its strong commitment and support to the Indo-Naga Peace process till its logical conclusion.
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