UNC members at a meeting during the 'political' tour tour at Chamdil, Manipur.
Dimapur, April 7 (MExN): The United Naga Council (UNC) carried out a “political tour” in a view to “study the socio economic conditions” of the Nagas in Manipur. The first leg of the tour was undertaken in Chamdil under Chandel district in association with the Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation and the seven constituent tribes’ councils of the region from April 5 to 7.
The press release issued by the UNC publicity wing stated that the tour was initiated to study the “socio-economic conditions of the Nagas which is weakening by the day and to verify the tall claims made by the Government of Manipur on schemes/projects submitted in the tripartite talk as development initiatives taken up by them in tribal areas.” Interactions were held with village chiefs and social leaders across the district and “the common refrain was the loss of hope for a future with dignity on all fronts under the communal Government of Manipur,” it stated.
The press note mentioned that the touring team also discussed issues on the proposed Chakpi River multipurpose project with members of the committee against the construction of Chakpi Dam. The “anti-people development aggression” of the Government of Manipur which would “uproot thousands of indigenous tribals” from their own lands was the shared concern and such “incursion without the free, prior and informed consent of the people should be resisted with all possible means,” it stated.
The tour programme concluded with a joint meeting with frontal organisations, including the Naga Women’s Union Chandel, Nagas Student’s Union Chandel, the Tribe Councils, the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation and several social leaders. It also asserted that the contours of the tripartite talk process on the demand for an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur was highlighted in the joint meeting which also emphasised on the need to be organised and be in continued preparedness for taking forward the people’s movement to its logical conclusion.
It also stated that the abduction of H. Khangba, President of Thangal Naga Union by some armed group was strongly condemned in the joint meeting. “The meeting took strong exception to the irreverence for the respected office of a tribe social organisation and urged all peace loving people to condemn the act so that such abominable deeds do not occur in the future,” it said.
