Senapati: The United Naga Council (UNC) has written to the Union Home Minister, urging immediate redressal of the unresolved issue regarding the creation of seven new districts in Manipur. The council has set a 15-day ultimatum, warning of intense agitation if the issue is not addressed within this timeframe. The letter was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati district.
In its letter, the UNC reiterated that the creation of the seven districts on December 8, 2016, during the Congress regime, was arbitrary and violated four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed between the Manipur government and the Naga people. It also went against assurances given by the Government of India in 2011 that no decision on district bifurcation would be made without consulting all stakeholders, including the Naga bodies.
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The UNC noted that this decision had led to social unrest, with a 139-day economic blockade across national highways in the state. Despite holding ten rounds of tripartite talks involving the Government of India, the Manipur government, and the UNC, the last of which was held in March 2019, no concrete resolution has been reached. The council stressed that a final proposal was expected from the Manipur government by the end of July 2019, but this has not materialized.
The UNC has consistently maintained its stance against the 2016 decision, deeming it undemocratic and divisive. The council asserted that any rulings or decisions related to this matter are unacceptable and have been rejected.
Further, the UNC has issued reminders to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), requesting the resumption of the tripartite talks, with the most recent appeal submitted in February 2024. However, the council claims that no response has been received from the MHA, leaving the matter unresolved.
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During a UNC Council Assembly held on May 29, 2024, and a subsequent Presidential Council meeting on August 9, 2024, the council resolved to launch an intense agitation if the government fails to reinstate the seven districts to their original status. The UNC stated that it prefers dialogue but, after repeated petitions went unheard, has been compelled to take stronger action.
The UNC hopes that rectifying this issue will benefit all concerned parties and help restore peace and confidence in the state of Manipur. However, if the government fails to act within the stipulated time, the Naga people are prepared to resort to further agitation until their demands are met.
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