ZUF urges UNC to review stand
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 26 2012:
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) to review its decision of going ahead with the 72-hour bandh.
The ZUF, in the same breath, said the civil society organisations in the valley (Imphal) should uphold the slogan 'Chingtam-Amatani' (Hill-Valley are one people) .
Advising the UNC, ZUF said that instead of calling a bandh, the UNC should apprise the higher authority of the NSCN-IM to initiate action against the outfit's cadre identified as Livingstone, accused in the Chandel incident.
The ZUF also said the UNC does not carry the voice of the whole Nagas and that 'whatever UNC speaks, does not reflect the society as a whole'.
The ZUF also advised the civil society organisations in the valley to stop at once the ongoing 'communalised agitation' in Imphal and other valley areas.
"These organisations are turning the non-issue (Chandel incident) into a major issue based on communal principle," said the Zeliangrong militant outfit.
It regretted that many people heading home-ward for Christmas got stranded either in Guwahati or in Dimapur due to the bandh in the valley districts of Manipur.
"No doubt the act committed by NSCN-IM cadre at Chandel on December 18 evening was condemnable by all but making a mountain out of a mole-hill is not the right thing to do," ZUF opined and said that the Chandel incident and the follow-up reaction have threatened peaceful relation of the various ethnic groups in Manipur.
The ZUF said the NSCN-IM should take up concrete steps so that its cadres do not commit such act in future.