IMPHAL, October 22: Several Zeliangrong civil organizations today declared to fully co-operate with the ongoing agitation of the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) in all Naga inhabited areas in protest against the failure of the centre to materialize UNC’s demand for “Alternative Arrangement”.
The civil bodies further threatened to intensify its agitation until the demand is met.
The declaration was made during a press meet held today at the office of Longmai bazaar Board Committee, Noney, attended by the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, ZSU; Inpui Students’ Union (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland); Zeliangrong Baudi-AMN; Naga Women’s Organisation Forum-Noney and Longmai Authority Council; Longmai bazaar Board Committee office, Noney.
In the meantime, as a result of the total bandh imposed by ANSAM since midnight yesterday, normal life in Noney area was paralyzed. All forms of transportation remained defunct and all shops situated in Noney bazaar remained shut.
However educational institutes remained fully functioning.
Meanwhile, several numbers of placards and banners were posted around entire Noney area including the main market saying “We condemned O. Ibobi Communal government”, “We want alternative arrangement at the earliest possible time”, “Tripartite talk must be honoured”, “We want alternative arrangement” etc.
Talking to media persons during the meet, Chamrei Kamei, joint secretary, Zeliangrong Baudi-AMN stated, Nagas strongly opposed the step motherly treatment meted out to the Nagas by the Manipur government. The futile outcome of the three tripartite talks between the UNC with the state and central government is an indication that the government has failed to acknowledge the aspiration of the Nagas, he asserted.
He further informed that the civil bodies will continue with its agitation until the demand is met with and further threatened to intensify the agitation.
P. Athui advisor-ZSUM, said the Nagas under the spearhead of the UNC has been demanding “Alternative Arrangement” for more than one year besides the UNC had served a 20 days ultimatum but the government concerned remained indifferent. “We realize the hardship that the people have to face but we have no other choice” said Athui.
Branding the government of Manipur as ‘communal’ he alleged the Naga people of the south (Manipur) has been suppressed for long enough.
He claimed the Nagas has been struggling to live under one administrative unit since 1947 and it is high time the government of India acknowledged the aspiration of the Nagas, he further added.
“If we don’t see any visible solution within the three day long total bandh, we will intensify our agitation” said James Inka, president-Inpui Students’ Union.
The ANSAM imposed the total bandh in all the Naga inhabited area since midnight of October 21 and till October 24 midnight followed by a public curfew from October 25 which will be effective for only one hour per day from 12 noon to 1 pm.
As per the protocol for enforcement of the agitation of the UNC during the public curfew movements of any kind will be strictly checked by volunteers and whoever found violating the curfew would be detained till 1pm.
