UNC protest against new districts legitimate: NSCN-IM

Dimapur, Dec. 12: The NSCN-IM said it firmly believed that the protest of the Naga people under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) against the creation of the new districts by Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh is their legitimate historical and political rights.

In a release issued on Monday, the MIP of NSCN/GPRN said the creation of the seven new districts on December 8 out of the Naga areas or slicing Naga areas to other districts in Manipur is not only disrespecting the authority of Indian state that is on talks with the NSCN/GPRN but it shall be construed as a communal threat to the Naga people.

Also, the NSCN/GPRN took seriously the sensitive issue being “aggravated” by Ibobi Singh in trying to communalise vote banks of the Nagas on the one side and Meiteis and Kukis on the other side. “It is a deliberate conspiracy to gain political mileage because of the impending 2017 election in Manipur,” the release said.
The NSCN-IM issued the statement to inform the concerned authorities and general public in view of the “ongoing incessant assault on the political and historical rights of the Nagas by the Government of Manipur backed by the Central Government.” It also disavowed with utmost restraint from “communal politics” of Ibobi Singh.

Stating that it represents the Naga people and their political aspirations, the NSCN-IM asserted that it shall take full authority to claim the responsibility of their well being and protection thereto.

“The Nagas have come to the negotiating table with honest intention to sincerely resolve the decades old conflict with full commitment and subsequently, the “Framework Agreement” was signed on 3rd August 2015 between the GoI and the NSCN,” release stated.

Also, stating that both the parties have been seriously negotiating and significant progress has been made, the NSCN-IM sought to know “is the commitment given by the Nagas till today not enough for the GoI.”

“The declaration of disturbed Areas in the hill areas of Manipur and the sending the Central Forces has taken the Nagas totally surprise. Is this a sign of sincerity or of seeking peaceful political solution? We are compelled to ask this question to the GoI,” the NSCN-IM said.

“We conclude that the Central government and that of the GoM are deliberately joining hands to divide and suppress the Naga people. This treacherous policy will lead to endless confrontation and will surely jeopardize the ongoing peace process. It is really a high time for the Indian government to realize the better to make the history of both the parties glorious,” it added.

The NSCN-IM further said it is very clear to it that the “sinister attempt” of Ibobi Singh to divide the Nagas in Manipur by dislocating and weakening them in different districts shall not be accepted by the Naga people. “The Nagas have been defending their lands, populations and politics through blood and tears over the centuries, and it shall remain as the tallest call to the very last soul of the Nagas to do so,” it added.

It also described the arrest of UNC leaders Gaidon Kamei and SK Stephen by Manipur state police as not only a cowardly act but also as a lack of statesmanship in handling political issue. It said if the GoI is sincere enough to bring about lasting political solution it must initiate sincere and positive steps for the unconditional release of Kamei and Stephen, withdraw all the central forces and initiate political dialogue with the UNC and the Naga people.

“Nagas will not accept any form of imposition or division of our land in the name of administrative convenience or development or any other hidden agenda either today or tomorrow. This kind of policy by the GoI is too treacherous. Nagas will not accept nor will they bow down come what may,” the NSCN-IM further asserted.

“It will be more prudent for the Indian leadership to set the course along the way that would inevitably lead to the right destiny. This is the demand of the history today,” it added.