IMPHAL, September 9: A huge number of people including both men and women participated in the protest rally against the recently passed three bills in Ukhrul today under the aegis of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL).
Banners demanding the immediate resignation of MLA Preshow Shimray and MLA Victor Keishing and denouncing the three recent bills passed by the State Assembly were displayed by the protestors along with banners denouncing a statement of MLA Ranjit.
A memorandum addressed to the State Governor Dr Syed Ahmed was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul signed by the TNL president, Weapon Zimik.
The memorandum stated that TNL opposes the three bills saying the procedure was a mockery of democracy and the enforcement of such bills has the potential to create social unrest and political chaos.
It requested the Governor to abstain from giving accent to such bills and instead proposed President Rule.
People started marching from two extreme edge of Ukhrul town namely Kharasom junction and Tungrei junction and met at Tangkhul Naga Long ground and held a mass meeting there.
During the meeting, Stephen Angkang former TNL president detailed the history of the Nagas and the Naga struggle.
He explained the contextual complexities and the unique land holding system of the Nagas which defines the Naga identity.
Senior adocate R Daniel educated the rally participants on the legal interpretation of the three Bills dwelling especially on the MLRLR Act.
President of the TNL Weapon Zimik read the rally declaration to the masses gather at the Tangkhul Naga Long ground.
The declaration stated that the Tangkhul Naga while opposing all the three infamous bills call for a President Rule in Manipur to save further loss of lives.
The apex body also demanded the immediate resignation of the two Congress Tangkhul MLAs namely Preshow Shimray and Victor Keishing within the deadline given by United Naga Council.
The Tangkhul Naga Long also stated that recent remark of MLA Ranjit in the Assembly saying that there are no Nagas in Manipur is an insult and should be awarded the rightful penalty.