Dimapur, May 25 (EMN): The Naga Hoho has taken strong exception to what it called an ‘unwarranted ultimatum’ that was reportedly issued on May 23 by the United Committee of Manipur (UCM) on the issue of the ceasefire being extended to all the Naga areas.
The organisation’s communication cell issued a press release on May 25 declaring that the “Indo-Naga peace agreement” had nothing to do with the interest of the Meitei.
Let the Indo-Naga peace agreement grow and come to full fruition without interference from outsiders, the Naga Hoho advised. “The agreement has nothing to do with the interest of Meiteis in Manipur, rather it will bear fruit for the wellbeing of Meiteis. Nagas are least interested to meddle with issues unrelated to them.”
The Naga Hoho warned that it the Naga people too employ the “an eye for an eye approach,” it will result in “unmanageable proposition in the history of mankind.” This is not the first time “but the UCM have been provoking the Nagas from time to time” on sensitive issues, it stated.
“The statement has come at a time when the peace-loving people are all eagerly waiting for the final solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political imbroglio at the highest level talks without territorial limits,” the press release stated.
The UCM was reminded that the Naga people from Manipur state were party to the cease-fire/ framework agreement signed between the two entities.
The agreement is for the Naga people who inhabit 80% of the landmass of Manipur state, the press release declared. “It will be a tragic travail to sabotage the peace initiative being endorsed and taken up with the support of United Nations’ agencies, Unrepresented People’s Organization and other democratic nations,” the Naga Hoho claimed.
The Naga organisation asserted that there was nothing in the agreement that would suppress the rights, history and territorial boundaries of the Meitei.
The press release declared: “The Meiteis should be aware that Nagas are a peace loving people, yearning to resolve the long drawn-out issue and assert our legitimate stand and rights without any bloodshed. As good neighbours, we will share neighbourly relationship in all generations to come and the Nagas understand that there are many respectable and learned Meitis with whom we enjoy brotherly rapport till-date.”
The organisation noted that the government of Manipur is represented by the Meiteis of Manipur ‘where the voice of the tribal in the hill districts are seldom upheld.’
“If the Meitei led government bows to the whims and fancies of Meitei CSOs like UCM, the Nagas inhabiting the surrounding areas will be compelled to take up befitting measures in order to protect our rights.”
