IT News
Senapati, Sept 12:
The United Naga Council has written to the Union Home Minister, Govt of India through the Deputy Commissioner, Senapati urging him to set an ultimatum for redressal of the pending issues of arbitrary creation of 7 New Districts in Manipur and had warned of intense agitation if not redressed within 15 days time.
In the letter issued by the United Naga Council, it stated that while there had been social unrest in the state of Manipur in the backdrop of arbitrary creation of 7(seven) new districts by bifurcating parent districts on December 8, 2016 during the Congress regime without the informed consent and knowledge of the stakeholders-dishonouring the four (4) memoranda between government of Manipur and the Naga people and the assurance from the government of India in 2011, that no decision would be taken without consulting all sections of the people and all stakeholders, including Naga bodies representing the Nagas. Consequent upon this, a massive protest in the form of hartals and an Economic blockade was launched in all the national highways for 139 days in the state and as many as 10 (ten) rounds of Tripartite Talks in the presence of the Government of Manipur (GoM), United Naga Council (UNC) and Government of India (Gol) had taken place to redress the issue, the last talk being held on March 9, 2019 with the assurance that concrete proposal shall be placed by the government of Manipur in the next round of talk supposedly proposed to be held by the last week of July 2019.
In this regard, the United Naga Council has made its stance loud and clear through media outlets, reiterating their rigid position against the arbitrary, undemocratic and divisive declaration of 7 new Districts on 8th December 2016 by the then Government of Manipur. Hence, any subsequent decision or ruling passed by any institution or authority on the matter stands rejected, the UNC claimed.
In the light of the above, a missive has been sent to the office of the Special Secretary (erstwhile Jt. Secretary), Northeast, MHA, Gol. for resumption of the tripartite talk on January 22, 2024 and a prompt reminder on the 23rd February, 2024. However, no reply either in affirmation or negation was stated to be responded to the aggrieved party i.e. the United Naga Council. In view of this, the United Naga Council in its COUNCIL ASSEMBLY held on 29th May, 2024 and the subsequent Presidential Council meeting of the UNC held on August 9, 2024 had stated to unanimously resolved to launch an intense agitation to ensure that 7 districts created on 8th December, 2016 are rolled back and re-instated to status quo in the spirit of 4(four) standing MoUs and assurance of the government of India that were agreed upon.
The UNC stated to believe in dialogue and has therefore tacitly appealed to redress their grievances through petitions but having turned a deaf ear to their plea, the Nagas have resolutely taken a decision to set a stipulated period of fifteen (15) days to address the issues w.e.f the date of submission of the ultimatum. On the expiry of the stipulated period of time, the UNC warns that Naga people will take up an intense form of agitation until the demands are met.
The UNC expects to create a vital space and congenial environment to rectify the errors of the past that will surely prove beneficial to all concerned and restore confidence and usher in peace in the state.
