Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 31: Reacting to the condemnation of the Manipur State Assembly resolutions, fourteen Naga based social organisations under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC), in its general assembly held on May 30 at Senapati (Tahamzam) observed that the ultimate Naga aspiration for integration is happening. The Nagas strongly condemn the Manipur Assembly Resolution which is tantamount to suppression of the Nagas’ right to live together as one people. The Naga people also urged the Legislature of Manipur Assembly not to provoke the Nagas and capitulate to wrong political venture, said a jointly signed statement of the fourteen organisations.
UNC president K.S.Paul Leo, ANSAM president Paulring Langhu, Naga Women Union,Manipur (NWUM) president Grace Shatsang, Zeliangrong Union president D.Dinkambui, CNPO president Ng.Gilbert, Maring Union president Th.Angrung,NPMHR convenor Phamhring, Moyon president N. Dominic, Tangkhul Naga Long representative Joseph Jajo, Anal president Nula Kono, Inpui Union vice president Akhuan Khumba,Thangal president H.Khangba, Maram Union president L.Thomas and Poumai Union president ML Markson are the signatories of the joint statement which was made available to Newmai News Network this evening.
It said that Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland has rightly expressed “the inherent concern to the aspiration of the Naga people during his brief interaction with the Naga brethren at Tadubi and Mao gate on his visit to Khezhakheno on May 25. “Nagas by tradition are closely related ethnic people. As a Naga Mr. Rio is at will to extend his moral support to fellow Naga brethren across the Nagas land and everywhere. Exactly, Mr. Rio has done what he ought to do for his people at that given situation and time. It is inevitable for Chief Minister of Nagaland to acknowledge the good and family gesture shown by the Mao Nagas”.
The Naga bodies’ statement then said that the Nagas equivocally welcome the statement of Rio in urging the Manipur Naga MLA s to work for Naga unification during his short interaction with co-Naga brethren at Tadubi village. It can be noted that 11 Naga MLAs and 2 Naga MPs of Manipur had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India for integration of Naga areas which was fully supported by the Naga people. It is also the moral obligation of every Naga including the 11 MLAs and 2 MPs of Manipur to voice the desire of the Naga people. The Naga 11 MLAs and 2 MPs are categorically reminded not to become constraint to the Indo-Naga Peace process due to their calculated silence inside and outside the floor of the house, added the statement.
It is a vivid evidence for our neighbors that the artificial division of Nagas land is non-existence when Nagas from Arunachal, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland joint hands to observe the remarkable Nagas integration Rally on August 31, 2005 at Kohima and Nagas everywhere are one people and one culture, further stated the fourteen Naga organisations’ statement.
It said that the decision of UNC President not to reciprocate the offer for employment to his wife by the Govt. of Manipur was appreciated and termed as a bold step for Naga integration. ‘This is to happen, it will happen and it has happened.’
The ANSAM campaign for introduction of Nagaland prescribed text books in the private schools of Naga areas in Manipur as part of the Non Co-operation Movement is justified for the reasons that the imposition of Meitei ‘Mayek’ to the Nagas and other hill people is not in the interest of the Nagas and imposition of school curriculum prescribed text books of Manipur Board of Secondary Education contains some portions of distorted facts of Naga history. The private schools in Naga areas under the administered areas of Manipur have resolutely accepted the directives of the United Naga Council (UNC) and ANSAM, and have implemented to learn the prescribed text books of NBSE, said the statement.
The Nagas strongly ridiculed the resolution adopted in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. It is self contradictory and mockery for the legislatures of Manipur Legislative Assembly when Shri. O. Ibobi Singh’s remarked in his press interview at his chamber on May 22on the mock banner that ‘Welcome to south Nagalim, Mr. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur’ is a democratic right to freedom of expression of an individual. If the democratic set up provides avenue to express our will and aspiration, Neiphiu Rio as a Naga brethren has every right to say in solidarity and support with the rest of the Naga people, it said. ‘The Chief Minister, Manipur on one hand encourages the freedom of speech and expression while on the other hand issue warrant of arrest to those who uses the freedom of speech and expression. It is the Manipur Legislators expression of desperate attempt to sabotage the Indo-Naga peace talks, concluded the Naga based social organisations in their statement.
