Newmai News Network Senapati | February 7 The United Naga Council (UNC) in its 'Presidential Council Meeting' held today at Senapati resolved to continue the indefinite economic blockade, picketing of government offices and the banning of the ongoing national projects in 'Naga areas' in Manipur, according to UNC General Secretary S Milan. He asserted that the Naga people will never give up the fight to protect their land and their rights. Meanwhile, a press communiqué from the UNC informed that the emergency Presidential Council meeting at Senapati reiterated the rejection of the creation of 7 new districts and resolved to continue to fight till the same is withdrawn. The UNC alleged that new districts were created with the “insidious design of grabbing our land on the pretext of administrative convenience.” It was further resolved that Nagas would reject and fight against any other moves that would affect "our land and identity". The UNC convened the meeting today to "critically explore the update of the tripartite talk" held between the Government of India, the United Naga Council and the Manipur Government on February 3, 2017 at North Block, New Delhi. According to the UNC, the Government of Manipur only pleaded its helplessness on taking up the core issue in the talk as the election code of conduct, which has come into effect from January 4, 2017, prohibits any political decision for roll back or otherwise either by the Government of Manipur or the Government of India. The next tripartite talk for taking up the core issue was then scheduled for March 25, 2017, it added. "The Government of Manipur and the Government of India moved for creating a conducive atmosphere for the next tripartite meeting and it was agreed that none of the parties would go to the press on sensitive matters discussed in the talk. But the Chief Minister of Manipur has triumphantly stated in the media that the core issue has not been put on the agenda and that the UNC protest would be called off," the UNC stated. "The Presidential Council in the light of the above brought out that the Nagas and their land are inseparable is reaffirmed. The land gives us our identity, tradition and culture. In the land lies our future as a people," the UNC said. According to the UNC, "there is constitutional safeguard and protection for the tribal people in Manipur under the Constitution of India - Article 371C (2): 'The Governor shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report to the President regarding administration of the Hill areas in the State of Manipur and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of direction to the State as to the administration of the said areas'". The UNC citing a series of representations submitted the Manipur Government and the President of Indian stated, “The Presidential Council after thorough deliberation concluded that the code of conduct cannot limit the Union of India nor the Governor of the State of Manipur from intervening and fulfilling their constitutional obligation to safeguard and protect land of the tribal as enshrined in the constitution.”
