Dimapur, June 5 (MExN): A noticeably infuriated Naga Students’ Federation today lashed out Union Home Secretary GK Pillai for the latter’s statement about the Centre ‘losing patience’ at Naga organizations’ economic blockades in Manipur. The NSF demanded to know if Pillai had any other humanitarian issues other than ‘blindly supporting Manipur’ and the suppression other tribal communities live under the Meithei.
The NSF issued a statement today taking stern view of Pillai’s statement that censored various Naga organizations including the NSF who are protesting ‘the suppressive policy’ of the Manipur government led by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
“The Federation questions Mr. Pillai as to whether he has any concern for any other humanitarian issues other than blindly supporting the Manipur government. For instance, like the Quit Notice served on the Hindi-speaking people including Bangali and Assamese living in the Imphal Valley who were issued ‘quit notice’ by various Meitei organizations? Is Mr. Pillai the Home Secretary to the Govt. of India or the Spokesperson of the Meiteis?”
The federation said that instead of threatening and ‘being abusive’, a person manning high profile and important role of Home Secretary “should be more sensible and impartial towards all concerned for the interest of justice and lasting peace, especially when this part of the region is undergoing a trying period.”
On many occasions, NSF asserted, Pillai has been embarrassing and enhancing the burden of the Government of India instead of bringing solutions to the problem. “Mr. Pillai should read thoroughly the recent amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act which has taken away the right of the tribal people including the Nagas before jumping into conclusion as to whether the action of the Nagas to launch agitations in protest against such manipulative and oppressive act of the Manipur government is justified or not,” the federation stated.
“It is unfortunate that Mr. Pillai does not know that it was the government of Manipur who has blocked the National Highway in the first place. On 3rd of May 2010 when the NSF delegation were traveling to Oinam Village at Senapati district, the Manipur Commandoes and Manipur Rifles have erected barricade in the National Highway-39 and prevented the NSF delegation from proceeding to Oinam village to hold the federal assembly. Mr. Pillai should remember that the federation has imposed restrictions of movement of the Manipur Registration vehicles in all the Naga areas in response to the blockade launched by Manipur government.”
Pillai is also reminded that two Naga students were shot dead by the Manipur government forces on May 6 at Mao Gate during a peaceful rally. “We can only tell to Mr. Pillai to be more fair in his approach to the present crisis if he is really interested in solving the issue,” NSF stated.
