Our Correspondent
Imphal | March 12
The Manipur government’s plan to convert Jiribam and Sadar Hills to full-fledged revenue districts have encountered stiff opposition and drawn lukewarm criticisms from several tribal civil societies.
Zeliangrong Baudi, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union and the Tribal Rights Demand Committee said the purported decision of the Manipur government for creation of full-fledged Jiribam and Sadar Hills districts should not harm the interest of the Zeliangrong people and their land.
They said land of the Zeliangrong should not be carved out in the process warning the Manipur government not to take any such hasty decisions against the wishes of the Zeliangrong people. Jiribam located near Manipur-Assam border is a subdivision of Imphal East while Sadar Hills falls under Senapati district.
In 2011, Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) spearheaded a 121-day blockade along Imphal-Dimapur road over the demand causing immense hardship to the people.
Similarly, the people of Manipur bore the brunt of economic blockade imposed by Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) on Imphal-Jiribam road for weeks to fulfill their demand. Tribal Rights Demand Committee (TRDC), Jiribam said it would resort to peaceful agitation soon against the decision of the state government which has ignored to take prior consent of the tribal populace.
A day after the announcement on granting districthood status to Sadar Hills and Jiribam, the United Naga Council (UNC) accused the Manipur government of attempting to promote divisive policies on ethnic lines.
The apex Naga body in Manipur also lambasted the state government over the recent violence in Satu Aimol village under Chandel district where a school teacher was beaten to death by suspected militants.
It further blamed the government for the recent Heirok incident wherein some labourers were beaten up and robbed off. Heirok is a village located under Thoubal district. Media reports here claimed that NSCN (IM) was behind the incident.
UNC insisted that the Nagas and tribals of Manipur are committed to protect their own land, resources, identity, rights and traditions. The council warned that the Manipur government would be held responsible for any unwanted results coming out of its decision over any common issue.
