KANGPOKPI, September 15: A mass rally was carried out today at Senapati district headquarters in condemnation of the three Bills and the two resolutions passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31.
The mass peace rally participated by a huge mob, started from the Senapati Public Ground and continued till Vakho (New Karong) and turned back to the Public Ground, where a public address was delivered by leaders and representatives of UNC, ANSAM, NWU and NPO.
The rally was held under the banner `We support Indo-Naga Peace Accord, we demand withdrawal of Anti-Tribal Bills, Tribal MLAs resign for your people, don`™t encroach tribal lands, withdraw anti-tribal bills, expedite peace deal.`
Later, a memorandum jointly signed by UNC, ANSAM, NWU, NPMHR, NPO, Tribe Hohos, of Poumai, Mao, Maram, Thangal and Zeliangrong, Senapati Zone, and other Frontal Organization of the Senapati district was submitted to the Prime Minister of India through the Senapati DC.
During the public protest rally, the normal business establishment remained shut down and vehicular movement along the NH-2 including local vehicles remained off the road.
The day was also declared `Genna` (abstaining from all normal works) for all citizens of the district.
ANSAM president Seth Shatsang spoke on the controversial nature of the three bills and resolution against the Indo-Naga peace accord which felicitates peace in North east India.
While condemning the repressive policies of the Manipur government by attempting to mute the voice of the tribals, he added that, the bills are directly contradicting the Constitution article 371(C) which empowers the tribals with certain powers to protect its land, identity and culture from the clutches of foreign hands.
The Naga Women Union President Tabitha while speaking to the crowd reiterated that, the Naga women`™s are opposed to creating such tension in Manipur by passing such bills and resolution in favor of a particular community in the State.
Gaidon Kamei, UNC president demanded translation of the historic Indo-Naga Peace Accord of August 3, 2015 to its logical conclusion based on the uniqueness of Naga history and its situation.
Gaidon Kamei said that the Nagas welcome the Indo-Naga peace accord signed on August 3 and appreciate the dynamic and decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, RN Ravi, the interlocutor of the Government of India for Indo-Naga political talks and the political wisdom of the collective leadership of the NSCN-IM Th. Muivah and Isak Swu.
Calling it a `Gracious day for the people of Senapati,` Gaidon Kamei said, that despite long years of struggle through arms, the government of India lately realized the uniqueness of the Naga history, through the Framework-Agreement, which the Government of Manipur is trying to sabotage and derail.
He gave a wake-up call to the people of Senapati, especially the Village Authorities and the Village Chief, urging them, to be alert from deceptive conspiracies of the government of Manipur, through the three bills passed on August 31.
He said `The land you own is not given by the British nor the Government of Manipur, but it is God given. We should protect it boldly by being united.`
Pointed out Gaidon, sensitizing the people about the, `Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act of 1960, which will be amended by omitting `Except in the Hill areas`, thereby striping the ownership of the land of the tribals.`
The Nagas will never claim but respect the land of others but in case if anyone or any forces or community (s) attempt to grab Naga ancestral homeland, the Nagas will never stay as silent spectators. He appealed to all Naga political groups to come together by forgetting all the past that have happened.
Gaidon also welcomed the support of the Nagaland Chief Minister, Mizoram`™s Chief Minister and PA Sangma, former Lok Sabha speaker supporting the cause of the tribals in Manipur.
The Naga people of Organization district under the aegis of UNC and Naga Frontal Organizations decided to urge the GoI to translate and expedite the framework agreement of the Indo-Naga historic peace accord to its logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, the NPO has expressed gratitude to the frontal bodies, Tribe Hohos, District bodies, general public and village leaders for successful conduct of the said Public protest rally held today at Senapati DHQ.