NNN
SENAPATI, February 3
The apex Naga students’ body in Manipur has expressed displeasure on the proposed February 6 rally in Imphal. “A rally is being organized by various valley based organizations on February 6, 2016 to protest the 3rd August, 2015 framework agreement for settlement of the Indo-Naga issue,” said the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) in a statement today. According to ANSAM, the February 6 rally is grounded on the notion of the “territorial integrity” of Manipur, which is a “majoritarian creation” and a slogan used widely to perpetuate the oppression and marginalization of the Nagas and tribals in Manipur.
“May it be informed that the AMUCO, UCM and CCSK does not include the tribals in the state of Manipur, who constitute more than 41% of the population and they cannot dictate the boundaries of an indigenous peoples with a distinct culture and history, different from theirs,” it stated.
According to ANSAM statement, the Naga villages have its clear and distinct boundary which is recognized and marked in maps and administrative records, and indisputably chronicled.
The Nagas cannot claim and will not claim anything beyond what is rightly theirs and the settlement of the Indo-Naga issue seeks to address this very position.
“There are questions the February 6, 2016 rally will have to answer. In what manner will peace for the Nagas encroach upon the intrinsic historical rights of the dominant communities?
What would be the response of the February 6 rally to the issues of identity, ownership over land & resources and traditional customs & practices, opportunities and developments and representations of the Nagas and tribals in Manipur?
What do the 3 anti-tribal bills that caused the death of 9 tribals who are yet to receive dignified burials mean to them, who oppose all forms of peace and settlement in the guise of “territorial integrity” that does not respect right to self determination?,” ANSAM asked.
The Naga students’ body then said that every oppressed people have political aspirations to be able to live with dignity - their identity, tradition and culture, ownership over land and resources respected. Nagas have never objected against the political aspiration of others but in fact have helped build movements and peoples’ organizations across the region. “It is our assertion that settlement of the Naga issue will usher in peace not only for Nagas but also for all with whose futures are inseparably bound.
The traditional boundaries will continue to exists and we will be live as neighbors, in mutual respect and harmonious cooperation,” it added.
“As struggling people, it is our appeal for promotion and support of each other’s genuine political aspirations and thereby make peace together for a better world,” ANSAM further added.
