IMPHAL, Oct 30: The United Naga Council (UNC) has imposed a 10-day `Economic Blockade` along National Highways and ban construction of National and International projects including Trans Asian Railways from November 2 to 12 midnight.
A statement issued by S Milan, general secretary of UNC, stated that the decision to impose the strike and ban was taken during a presidential council meeting convened on October 29 at its Office with Gaidon Kamei, president, UNC in the chair.
It further said that the meeting seriously reviewed the overall political development and situation prevailing in the state of Manipur particularly Nagas and tribals in the hills aftermath of the passing of infamous three anti tribal Bills and two resolutions by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31 and consequent upon killing of 9 innocent civilians including a minor on August 31 and September 1 by the `communal state forces`™ while defending the inalienable rights of the tribal people and whose bodies are still laying at the morgue of the Civil Hospital, Churachandpur district head quarter.
The Nagas and tribal people have organised series of Bandhs, rallies, dharnas, public curfews and submitted representations to the Government of India (GoI) for its political intervention on the three Bills and two Resolutions and also, to address the political aspirations of the tribal people, it said.
For its stoic silence over the sensitive issue on the part of the Government of India, we are compelled to take up democratic form of agitation to draw the attention of the Government of India for immediate political intervention to safeguard our inalienable rights, further continued the release.
It further pointed out that as per the resolution No. 4 of the UNC presidential council meeting of the September 7, 2015 official intimation were served to all the 7 (seven) Naga MLAs to resign from their irrespective membership for not defending the rights and interest of the Nagas and tribal both inside and outside the Manipur Legislative Assembly on September 9 and also convened a joint meeting on September 14, 17 and 19 however none of them have tendered their resignation defying the directive of the Naga peoples.
Therefore, UNC Presidential Council Meeting reaffirmed its previous resolution and banned the movement of 7 Naga MLAs of Cngress party in Naga territory with immediate effect till they resign from the membership of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, it held.
Subsequent upon the band, it revealed that the UNC had informed and directed tribes Hohos and Naga public not to give them any position and platform in Naga society including tribe, church, women, student, organisation/association, village level etc. Social sanction in any form will be imposed upon any one defying this directive.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/10/unc-announces-highway-blockade/