Senapati, July 01, 2010: The United Naga Council (UNC) and other Naga bodies have decided to start a total political non-cooperation movement against the Government of Manipur.

The UNC and other Naga bodies have also reiterated their stand to sever all ties with the GoM.

This was announced by the Publicity Wing of UNC in a press release mailed today.

It said that the 3rd Naga Peoples' Convention (NPC) called by the United Naga Council (UNC) as per Article 9 (ii) of its Constitution was held today at Senapati.

It is to be noted that the UNC is empowered to call such a Convention "to seek the directives of the Naga people on such matters affecting territorial interest or the political future or any other matter of grave importance to the Naga people" and decisions or resolutions taken during such Conventions "will be paramount and shall guide all policies and programmes of the Council on the matter(s) directed upon." The Convention is open to all Naga public.

It further said that with "Towards Self-Governance" as the theme, the 3rd NPC was called against the backdrop of the continued and persistent denial of the rights of Nagas in the present state of Manipur and in the face of recent events engineered by the Government of Manipur (GoM) which has created a war-like situation in Naga areas.

More than 2000 Nagas from all walks of life and from all Naga areas packed the venue of the Convention.

In his keynote address, the President of the UNC pointed out the extraordinary circumstances which compelled the convening of such a Convention.

He pointed out that the recently imposed ADC election had been rejected by the Naga people and that the struggle for securing the rights of the people must be resolutely continued till this goal is attained.

He also reiterated the Naga people's support for the struggle of all communities for their right to self-determination, including the Meiteis, and in fighting for the recognition and respect of their identities and ownership over their lands, institutions and traditional practices to ensure the emergence of a sustainable and viable relationship among all communities.

Solidarity messages were also delivered by Mr..GVashum, representative of Naga Hoho; Mr.Mani Charenamei, Convener, Naga Parliamentarians' Forum; Dr.Khashim Ruivah, representative of resigned Naga MLAs; Mr.Sword Vashum, Retd.Addl.

Dy.

Comptroller & Auditor General, GOI; Mr..MDili, President Naga Peoples Organisation, Senapati; Mr..S.TNunghlung, President, Chandel Naga Peoples Organisation; Mr.Ramthing Hungyo, Convener, Tangkhul Coordination Committee and Mr.Ningthoudai, Convener, Zeliangrong Interim Body.

All the speakers pointed out the need for Nagas to come together and stand up for the realization of their rights, the UNC's press release disclosed.

According to the press release, the following declaration was adopted during the Convention.

"We, the Nagas in the present state of Manipur having established our position based upon the unmistakable fact that it is impossible to protect our right to life, land, time-honored institutions, customary practice and values under the administration of the dominant and communal Government of Manipur (GoM), and that our history with it, has clearly confirmed the harsh reality that the GoM has never recognized and respected the identity and dignity of the Naga people, hereby declare on this day the following that�the Nagas will sever all political ties with the communal Government of Manipur, and henceforth there shall be a total political non-cooperation movement against it.

The imposed ADC election is declared "null & void" and under no circumstances shall the district councils be allowed to function in the Naga areas.

Because of the severance of ties, the vacuum in governance and administration created thereby must be filled with an alternative arrangement by the Government of India in consultation with the Naga people at the earliest possible time.

The United Naga Council is hereby empowered to constitute a committee of members with expertise and experience, drawn from the Naga community, for pursuing the establishment of an alternative arrangement with clearly defined terms of reference.

The Government of India must exercise its political will to bring an honourable and acceptable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue at the earliest notwithstanding any attempts to sabotage this process".

The press release further said that the principles of the said declaration would guide all future actions and policies of the UNC.

The Life Pages and Glory Explosion also made musical interventions in the convention, it added.