Ukhrul: The United Naga Council (UNC) has reaffirmed its opposition to the arbitrary creation of seven new districts in Manipur, demanding the immediate rollback of the decision made on December 8, 2016.
Setting the record straight, the apex Naga body in Manipur said the districts were formed by bifurcating existing parent districts during the Congress regime, without consultation with key stakeholders, including the Naga people. This move, according to the UNC, violates four standing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the government of Manipur and the Naga community, as well as assurances made by the Government of India in 2011.
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The UNC further stated that the creation of the districts was not only undemocratic but also divisive, sparking widespread protests, hartals, and a 139-day-long economic blockade on national highways.
It then recounted that despite ten rounds of Tripartite Talks between the Government of Manipur, the UNC, and the Government of India, the last of which took place on March 9, 2019, no resolution has been reached. The UNC has criticized the lack of follow-up on the commitment by the government of Manipur to bring forward concrete proposals in subsequent talks.
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Frustrated by the lack of progress and response to their pleas, the UNC in Monday’s press statement has announced a 48-hour total bandh in all Naga areas, commencing at midnight on October 3, 2024.
While the UNC urged the Naga population to cooperate and support the protest, stating the need for unity in demanding the rollback of the new districts, it said the bandh will exempt essential services, media, and emergency cases.
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