Dimapur, June 10 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Interim Body (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) [ZIB] has condemned in the strongest term the Ibobi led Government of Manipur’s (GOM) act of criminalizing two Naga social leaders, Samson Remei, President, United Naga Council (UNC) and David Choro, President, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) by declaring as WANTED persons with a catch price. The unprecedented acts of Ibobi Government are nothing but to continue the subjugation, suppression and inhuman treatment meted out to the Manipur tribal people and deliberate attempts to annihilate the Nagas, stated a press note issued by N. Gonmei, Convenor, ZIB (AMN).
Mandated by the Naga people, the press note stated that the UNC is demanding the deferment of election to the house of Manipur Hill Areas District Council under the present form and content of Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 2008, as the Act endangered the very existence of Hill people as indigenous and tribal people. “It has diluted and corrupted the constitutionally given rights of the tribals. Many representations were made to the authorities and the GOM pointing out these defects in the law and the taking away of the rights of the tribal through the present Act”, it stated. However, Ibobi led GOM did not even acknowledge or respond to the various representations made by the tribals. As a result, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and its constituent units were compelled to resort to the economic blockade as a last resort, it stated.
Despite taking such strong actions, the GOM has not made any positive overtures, it stated pointing out that instead it has sent in more security forces and also issued arrest warrants and put wanted tags on Naga social leaders. Further the Ibobi led GOM has categorically rejected the genuine and legitimate demands of the tribals and has gone ahead with the election. The press note also ponted out that some years back, when the Meitei people were demanding inclusion within the 8th and 11th Schedule of the Indian Constitution and also for inclusion of Meitei in Other Backward Class (OBC) of India, the tribal people, particularly the Naga, supported their struggle. However, none of these organizations have come forward to speak up for the rights of the tribals, it stated and added that the ZIB was left with no option but to fully endorse the 5 days ultimatum served to Government of Manipur by UNC and further proclaim that it shall undertake all possible actions to ensure the same is carried out.
