Senapati, January 31 (MExN): United Naga Council (UNC) has called 48-hour general strike in all the hill districts of Manipur from February 4 midnight to February 6 midnight in continuation of its previous demands and democratic movement.
A press release from Publicity Wing, UNC stated that the Nagas and tribal people in the present state of Manipur were self-governed and self administered people. A dual system of administration for the hills and valley came into existence after the British annexed the Meitei kingdom in 1881. The tribal areas were administered by the political department of the British Crown. This dual system continued even after 1949 when the Meitei kingdom was merged with the Indian Union along with tribal areas “without their consent, through deception, and under protest of the Nagas and other tribal people,” the release said. Since then, UNC said, the story of the Nagas and tribal people in Manipur has been one of “marginalization, victimization, discrimination and domination.” “The imposed system of governance have resulted in systematic degradation and obliteration to our history, culture, identity and right to land and resources and finally, crucified the Nagas and tribal rights on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on 31st August 2015 by passing 3 anti tribal Bills and Resolution and consequent upon which 9 innocent civilians were killed by state security forces and whose bodies are still lying at the morgue of Civil Hospital, Churachandpur.”
Maintaining that the people of different origin and history cannot live together under “force union”, UNC stated the approach for peaceful co-existence is exhausted and therefore “the best way for the Nagas and the tribal is to part and live as good neighbors so that Nagas and tribal people can live with dignity and honor as a people and a nation.”
The UNC further asserted that any movement and attempts to sabotage the final political settlement based on “unique history of the Nagas and its situation” will never be compromised under any circumstances. Religious program, earthquake related activities, medical, electricity, water supply and media fraternity are exempted from the purview of 48 hours total bandh. UNC has appealed to all the general public to extend fullest support and co-operation to the general strike to “defend and protect our inalienable rights”, while warning that anyone found defying the strike shall be at their own risk.
