Imphal, June 17 NNN: The United Naga Council (UNC) sponsored 48 hour bandh in “Naga areas” of Manipur went off peacefully on the first day today. However, the bandh was almost total concerning the vehicular movement in the Naga dominated districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Ukhrul. Inter state and inter district public transports did not ply today.
Reports said strict security vigil is being carried in these Naga dominated districts due to the bandh. Police personnel in large number are seen in the district headquarters of Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenglong while in ready to thwart elements attempting to take law into their hands.
The 48 hour bandh has been supported by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM). ANSAM general secretary Seth Satshang informed Newmai News Network that since everyone has been co-operating with the bandh enforcers there was no untoward incident till this evening.
Last week, the United Naga Council (UNC) had announced to call the total bandh including construction of rail lines in ‘Naga areas’ from the midnight of June 16 in protest against the alleged lack of interest of the government on the demand for ‘Alternative Arrangement’
The UNC’s contention is that the democratic process of dialogue on the demand for an ‘Alternative Arrangement’ for the Nagas in Manipur through the tripartite talk of the Government of India, the Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council, which was initiated by the Union Home Minister is a registration and recognition of the sharp ‘social divide’ on communal lines due to the marginalization, discrimination and domination, which has led systematic degradation and obliteration of Naga and tribal history, culture, identity and rights to land and resources.
According to the Naga body, the last tripartite talk was held on June 30, 2011 at Senapati. Subsequently, submissions were made to the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA), GoI urging for expeditious resumption of the tripartite talk. The Union Home Minister at Senapati and the Prime Minister at Raj Bhavan, Imphal had urged the UNC on November 2, 2011 and December 3, 2011 respectively to continue with the dialogue process.
After the last submission to the Ministry of Home Affairs made on April 13 this year the UNC has held series of the consultations with Naga frontal organisations and Tribes leaders on the movement for an alternative arrangement outside the government of Manipur.
Meanwhile, the bandh will conclude in the midnight of June 18.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/unc-strike-disrupts-life/
