Dimapur, June 23 (MExN): The United Naga Council (UNC) delegation today met the Union Human Resources Minister, Arjun Singh, at his residence June 23, and submitted a memorandum to pay the Hill House Tax directly to the Government of India and not to the Government of Manipur State.
The delegation also apprised the Union Minister of the aspirations of the Nagas presently living in the state of Manipur, according to a release received her issued by Azang Lonmai, General Secretary and Grace T Satshang, President of the Naga Women’s Union Manipur. “The union Minister was made to understand the hardships faced by the Nagas living in Manipur under the dominant rule of suppression and impositions by the majority community, the Meiteis” the release stated. “The Government of Manipur (has) been opposing every rightful aspirations of the Nagas by taking every decisions (on) their own accord using state forces against civilians and terming them hostile, for expressing their democratic rights” it was further asserted and added that the meeting with the minister ended with a positive note.
Meanwhile, the UNC has condemned what it termed the barbaric murder of Mayarping Angkang, by unidentified gunmen, in Kohima. “The UNC is totally against all forms of violence and bloodshed amongst the Nagas” it stated while appealing to the “armed organizations” to desist from such “inhuman, cowardice activities and stop killing the innocent civilians”. The UNC team along with the NWUM, the ANSAM and the NPMHR extended its prayers and condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for peace of the departed soul.
It may be mentioned that the delegation comprise of the UNC, the NWUM, the All Naga Students Union Manipur (ANSAM), the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) and tribal leaders. The submission is part of the follow-up of the November 4, 2005, declaration of the Naga Peoples’ Convention (NPC) to launch a non-cooperation movement against the Government of Manipur.
