Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, October 28:
The United Naga Council (UNC) has endorsed the mega rally called by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on October 31 in Imphal, demanding the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact with Kuki militant groups, an end to the alleged proxy war in Manipur and the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the state.
In a statement, the UNC expressed concern over what it described as the deteriorating security situation, the alleged reign of terror by Kuki militant groups and the perceived existential threat to the indigenous communities of Manipur.
The Council urged the general public to participate in the proposed rally, stating that the prevailing situation demanded a collective response to protect indigenous communities, ancestral land and identity.
The three principal demands of the COCOMI-led rally are the abrogation of the SoO pact with Kuki militant groups, an end to what the organisers describe as a proxy war in Manipur, and the removal of Assam Rifles from the state, particularly from border areas, with the force replaced by another neutral Central armed police force, such as the Border Security Force (BSF).
Questioning the role of Assam Rifles in border and conflict-hit areas, the UNC alleged that the force had been perceived as partisan and ineffective in protecting indigenous villages and securing the Indo-Myanmar border. It further claimed that the force had, at times, acted as a barrier to effective action by other security agencies.
In a significant show of solidarity, the UNC announced that peaceful sit-in protests or solidarity rallies would be organised simultaneously at all Naga district headquarters on October 31, beginning at 11 am.
The Council has called upon the Naga People’s Union, Imphal, other Naga frontal organisations and churches to mobilise maximum participation in the main rally in Imphal.
District apex bodies, tribal hohos and district-level frontal organisations have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the effective conduct of solidarity protests in their respective headquarters.
Appealing to Naga tribal hohos, frontal organisations, village authorities, churches, women, youth and students, the UNC urged them to turn out in large numbers to demonstrate collective resolve against what it termed terror and threats to indigenous land and identity.
