IT News
Imphal, Sept 11:
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s 2nd part of the Go to Hill Mission which was successful amidst some protest at Churachandpur district and which was a grand success at Chandel district, is likely to face major obstacle in Ukhrul district, as five major CSOs have not revoked the boycott call.
According to report, Hunphun Ukhrul and New Canaan village have withdrawn the invitation which was earlier extended to the Chief Minister. In addition to this, a clarification signed by all the five apex bodies of the Tangkhul Naga Long disowned “CSOs from Ukhrul” who had visited the Chief Minister on September 9, 2021.
The Chief Minister is scheduled to visit Ukhrul as part of the “Go to Hills” second chapter on the 20th of this month despite the boycott of the programme by All Tribal Student Union Manipur and extended support by all the Tangkhul apex bodies in Ukhrul District in demand for tabling the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021.
Two invitations addressed to the Chief Minister supposedly from Hunphun Ukhrul dated 8th September duly signed by the Headman and another from New Canaan village dated 9th September signed by the Headman and the Secretary surfaced in social medias which was immediately withdrawn and cancelled.
The cancellation letter to the Chief Minister from the Headman and the Secretary of Hunphun Ukhrul Village on the following day reads, “In continuation of Hunphun Village Authority letter dated 08/09/2021, it is deeply regretted that Hunphun Ukhrul Village Authority to express solidarity and support to the demands of the tribal community of Manipur under Article 371C hereby rescind the decision of welcoming the Go to Hills 2.0 programme scheduled on September 20, 2021. The envisaged of reception hosting and arrangement of feast by Hunphun Village Authority is cancelled. Inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.”
New Canaan Village also promptly issue a clarification signed by the village Secretary on the same day i.e the 9th of September which said, “This is to clarify particularly to the Tangkhul community as a whole that, a publication in the name of New Canaan Village welcoming the Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to Ukhrul District under his programme “Go To Hills” on September 20, 2021 is fabricated and self vested/in personal interest. New Canaan Village has not endorsed anyone in person or to any party to welcome N. Biren to Ukhrul District under his programme “Go to Hills”. Inconvenience and misunderstanding caused due to the publication is deeply regretted and it is our earnest prayer and request that the publication be overlooked.”
The collective apex CSOs of the Tangkhuls from Ukhrul district comprising of the Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong jointly clarified against the Chief Minister’s September 9 social media post on the same day. The clarification goes on to say “The recent media-stunt by the Chief Minister of Manipur on September 9, 2021 through his social media pages, i.e Facebook and Instagram, stating that CSOs from Ukhrul visited his office and ‘extended support for Go to Hills 2.0 initiative’ has nothing to do with the CSOs from Ukhrul in particular, and the Tangkhul community at large. This is solely the work of few self–styled individuals who have tarnished the name of the community for their own selfish personal political mileage through this condemnable act. The CSOs of Ukhrul re-emphasis its non-cooperation movement against the Biren-led BJP Government until the proposed Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Councils Bill, 2021 is tabled as demanded.”
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had posted photos on social media stating “I had a productive meeting with CSOs from Ukhrul today at my office. They extended their support for Go to Hills 2.0 initiative and futher discussed about various ways in which we could approach the mission to deliver its success to our brothers and sisters.”
