The United Naga Council (UNC) on Saturday has called for imposition of a lightning total shutdown in all Naga areas for 24 hours with effect from August 14 midnight to August 15 midnight.
UNC in the press statement calling for the Chief Secretary of Manipur to retract the order dated August 7, Vide no. 1/(S-7)/2014-H (ID) at the earliest, it said that the total shutdown is in protest against the aforementioned order to all the village chief/headman/Chairman to collect the Indian National Flag from their concern SDOs and to hoist and celebrate the 75th India’s Independence Day on 15th August 2021 in their respective villages. India is democratic country and the Naga people had never opposed the celebration of Indian Independence Day.
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Calling it a deliberately imposition, UNC pointed out that the order is a cheap tactics aimed at suppressing the political aspiration of Naga people and decades long struggle for achieving enduring peace in the region and said that resorting to such directive by Manipur government and district administrations unprecedented.
Further calling the provocative action of state security forces in Chandel district, dishonoring the sanctity of Naga National Flag and the people, ransacking of Naga People Organization (NPO), office Senapati and Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) office and snatching away of Naga Flag by the Assam Riffle is tantamount to insulting the Naga people, UNC stated.
The press statement further, directed all the District Apex Organizations, Women, Students and Tribe Hoho to strictly enforce the total shutdown in their respectiv jurisdiction.
United Naga Council, in conclusion warned that anyone defying the shutdown will be at his/her own risk and appealed the Nagas and general public to extend their fullest cooperation during the total shutdown.