UNC holds ‘people’s consultation’ at Senapati

IMPHAL, Dec. 28: A ‘people’s consultation’ convened by the United Naga Council (UNC) in Senapati district headquarters on Wednesday decided to intensify the “people’s movement” in the light of latest developments in Manipur.
According to sources from Senapati, the convention, which was attended by Naga tribe councils, frontal and regional organisations, intellectuals, church leaders and social leaders, resolved to launch democratic picketing of the state government offices in Naga districts from midnight of December 31 and prevent the district administration from functioning.
However, it was decided to exempt educational institutions, medical services, and power sector from the purview of the movement.
Besides, the consultation decided to appeal to all churches to offer “special prayer” on January 8 next year against the declaration of seven new districts and for the people’s movement for protection of their land and people, the source said.It also decided that a sum of Rs 20 shall be contributed by every Naga household towards strengthening the people’s movement for safeguarding the ancestral homeland under the aegis of the UNC.
The consultation will also be held at all respective tribe levels to update the people on the latest situation as shared in today’s consultation, which will be completed on or before January 15 next year.
Former presidents of UNC – KS Paul Leo, Samson Remei and L Adani – who were in the UNC team that visited Delhi from December 18 to 23 also briefed the day’s convention and highlighted the important observations of their visit.
Manipur is reeling under scarcity of essential items, particularly petroleum products, due to the indefinite economic blockade called by the UNC in Manipur sector of the two National Highways 2 and 37 from November 1 midnight in protest against the move to make Sadar Hills and Jiribam full-fledged districts. In view of the blockade which entered 58th day on Wednesday, people of the state have been facing scarcity of essential items, particularly the petroleum products.