United Naga Council irked by Sadar Hills upgradation comment

Our Correspondent
IMPHAL,February 23

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Manipur Pradesh President Th Chaoba’s reported statement to upgrade Sadar Hills into a full fledged district once BJP comes into power has evoked sharp reaction from the United Naga Council(UNC) Manipur.
“Th Chaoba, President, BJP, Manipur State Unit while speaking on one-day awareness cum mass enrolment program of the BJP, held on February 19 at Henbung, Senapati District, to up-grade Sadar Hills into full fledged District if, BJP comes to power in the next Manipur Assembly Election is a direct challenge to the 4 Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) and total disregard to peoples’ political sentiments,” says a statement of UNC’s information and publicity wing here. “If anything goes out of proportion by such political agenda of incitement, Th Chaoba and State Unit BJP Party should be held responsible for any eventuality.”It is to remind one and all that the so called Sadar Hills issue is one of the bone of contention that divides amongst tribal communities, it added. Many bandhs and blockades had been organized and even precious lives and properties had been lost in connection with this issue. One need not go into the details of the pains and miseries that had endured.
“Chaoba and his party should not forget the signing of 4 MoUs’ signed between the Government of Manipur and the Naga Civil Societies on December 14,1981, November 10,1992, September 27,1996 and June 23,1998 in connection with Sadar Hills issue,” the statement added. “The Naga people seriously viewed and warned him of his comment and also, he and his BJP party should not forget that the Government of India had also directly involved in this sensitive issue in the recent past.”
Since, Th Chaoba had opened the Pandora Box of the so called Sadar Hills, he and BJP State Unit should be held sole responsible for any consequences and also, warned to any political party(s)/Group(s)/Individual(s) not to play the communal card of the so called Sadar Hills with electoral politics or otherwise, the statement added.