New Delhi, 16th December, 2016 – As the Manipur Government has turned a deaf ear to the outcries of the Nagas despite the 48-hour ultimatum and the Government of India (GoI) has deliberately failed to intervene at this critical juncture in dishonour of the 3rd August, 2015 Framework Agreement, the Joint Naga Civil Societies, Delhi (CJNCSD) today vows to intensify the agitation and asserts that nothing short of total separation from the State of Manipur would resolve the Naga issue henceforth.
CJNCSD decries the forcible inauguration of Kangpokpi, Jiribam and Tengnaopal as new districts despite the staunch opposition from the Nagas and consequently appeals UNC to convene Naga people’s convention to declare the Naga areas in Manipur a separate statehood and run the existing institutions as per the Naga customary law and practices.
CJNCSD invokes all the Tribal Hohos to burn down every Manipuri textbook and appeals them to notify every educational institution for immediate termination of Manipuri/meiteilon as the medium of instruction in schools. CJNCSD further implores all the Tribal Hohos to henceforth boycott any posting or deputation of any valley-based Government employees to any Government institutions in the Naga areas.
CJNCSD takes a jibe at the deliberate silence of GoI in creating the new seven districts in Manipur which very act amounts to redrawing of Naga boundaries without any constitutional mandate and jurisdiction and thus, questions if GoI’s sole intention is to retract the 3rd August, 2015 Framework Agreement by deploying additional armed forces in aid of the unconstitutional and anti-Naga policies of Ibobi Government.
CJNCSD questions the wisdom of Manipur Government as to how it expects UNC to call off the ongoing agitation prior to the release of the two UNC leaders and recalls the formation of the new seven districts. CJNCSD states that Ibobi’s project not only disrespects the aspiration of the Nagas, but also insults the Naga people beyond tolerance and the Nagas will resort to any democratic means of protest available in defending their land, identity and culture as land and the Nagas are inseparable.
CJNCSD regrets the communal stance taken by the valley-based civil organisations by resorting to violent counter-blockade targeting the Naga community rather than questioning the anti-Naga stance of the State Government and reiterates that the Nagas have nothing to do with any particular individual or community. CJNCSD assures that the issue is between and only between the State and the Nagas alone.
CJNCSD seeks the immediate intervention of GoI before the avoidable situation escalates into a full-blown-out ethnic confrontation that the Nagas may repose their faith in its sincerity to the principles laid down in the 3rd August, 2015 Framework Agreement and appeals the valley-based civil organisations to stand with the Nagas in their fight for the long cherished common justice.
