An abandoned street in Tamenglong District Manipur during the UNC Bandh on October 31.
Newmai News Network
Senapti | October 31
Losing their patience over the prolonging peace talk, and demanding the settlement of the Naga political issue at the earliest, the Nagas under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) enforced total shut down today in “Naga areas under UNC jurisdiction” from 6 am to 6 pm. The bandh was monitored by the constituent units of the UNC in their respective jurisdictions. Inter district and inter village transport services did not operate today due to the bandh in the “Naga areas” today.
In Tamenglong district, shops and other business establishments did not operate due to the bandh. Bandh volunteers were seen in the roadsides burning logs and tyres. The scenes in Apollo Bazar, Jadonang Bazar, Medical Gate area and the Main Bazar were deserted during the bandh. No inter-state transport services also operated along the Imphal-Jiribam road today due to the bandh.
The bandh was also total in Chandel district. Vehicles, both private and public, did not operate along the Imphal-Moreh road due to the UNC bandh. Logs and tyres were also burnt in the roads by the bandh volunteers.
In Ukhrul district, the bandh was also effective as no commuters operate. Shops and other business outlets alsoa supported the bandh by halting their activities today.
In Senapati district too, shops and other business establishments did not function today. Market areas in Senapati town, Maram, Tadubi, Mao Gate and other business hubs did not operate due to the bandh. The otherwise busy transport services along the Imphal-Mao Gate (National Highway) saw a quiet day today.
Even though the bandh saw a concerted supports from the Naga people, there was no report of untoward incident related to the bandh. The bandh ended at 6 pm.
Speaking to Newmai News Network as soon as the bandh concluded, Gaidon Kamei, President of the United Naga Council (UNC), said that “Nagas will not worship the situation.” Gaidon Kamei added that Naga leaders do not have “political blindness”. However, he did not elucidate the points mentioned.
The UNC Chief then said that the “effectiveness of today’s bandh tells the world that the Naga people are longing to see the settlement of the Naga political issue”. He also said that the bandh was not against any community. “We are demanding for the early Naga political solution,” said Kamei. He further said that “Nagas have factions and groups but when it comes to our national issue we are one.” He elaborated his point by saying that “no Naga group or faction opposes the Naga political solution”. He then added by saying, “This is the beauty of the Nagas”.
Kamei also urged the Government of India to have “iron will” to resolve the Naga political issue at the earliest saying,“it was already diagnosed that the issue confronting the Naga people is not a law and order problem, but a political issue”. He also autioned that if the GoI “misses the opportunity this time, then, both the Nagas and India will become victims together”.
