Imphal: As of every summer, Manipur is again experiencing a hard time due to intense agitation. This time round, it is over the demand for Sadar Hills district.
The agitation has entered the eighth day on Monday and the prices of essential commodities are sky-rocketing with no supply lines choked.
In the face of the ever intensifying agitation sponsored by the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) in both the national highways leading to the state capital Imphal, the United Naga Council (UNC) has cautioned the state government of Manipur of serious consequences if the Sadar Hills district is created without consulting the Nagas.
This stand of the UNC was echoeing the statements of All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) and Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) who steadfastly oppose the creation of Sadar Hills district by carving out of Senapati district.
“The United Naga Council (UNC) has been resisting arbitrary encroachment and creation of artificial boundary of their land since colonial period and hence any attempt on the part of the government of Manipur to create Sadar Hills district without consulting the Nagas will be strongly opposed,” the UNC stated.
The UNC stated that the Nagas had signed four Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Manipur, ‘wherein the MoU of 1998 stated that resolution to the conflict on the issue of Sadar Hills will be brought about through a concensus of the peoples concerned in the interest of bringing about lasting peace and harmony between the Nagas and the Kukis.
“Therefore, the government should not take any hasty decision in this matter,” the UNC stated.
Meanwhile, the UNC said the inept handling of the present crisis and ‘bias attitude’ demonstrated by the government of Manipur is viewed by the Nagas as an attempt pit one community against the other.
Ot then urged all emergency cases including seriously ill persons should be allowed free passage for medical treatment within 24 hours time, in the event of failing to make this humanitarian arrangement the Nagas will blame the government of Manipur for any casualties caused due to lack of medical attention.
The UNC also stated that forcing the Nagas to contribute money to fund the agitation and asking them to organise rallies and dharnas in support of Sadar Hills districthood demand against their will should be immediately stopped. (NNN)