Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 19 2010:
Naga civil organisations in the districts of Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel today submitted memorandum each to the Prime Minister of India demanding to expedite the "Alternative Arrangement" for the Nagas of Manipur.
The memorandum of Ukhrul district was submitted through visiting Union Home Secretary G.K Pillai while the rest through their respective deputy commissioner.
Prior to the submissions of the representations to the Prime Minister, rallies were held in the district headquarters.
In Ukhrul, Union Home Secretary G.K Pillai who was attending a 'development seminar' at Ukhrul Town Hall had to leave the seminar for about half an-hour in between the programme to meet the leaders of Naga organisations who came to submit the memorandum.
For about half-an-hour G.K Pillai gave a patient hearing in another room of the Town Hall to the leaders of Tangkhul civil society leaders.
Meanwhile, the content of all the representations to the Prime Minister in these four districts are the same.
The memorandum mentions that the Nagas in these districts of Chandel, Senapati and Ukhrul having established their position based upon the "unmistakable and undeniable facts that it is impossible to protect our inherent rights to life, land, time-honored institution, customary practices and values under the administration of the dominant and communal Government of Manipur and that our history with it, has clearly confirmed the harsh reality that GoM has never recognised and respect the identity and dignity of the Naga people" .
"In order to safeguard and preserve our identity and history, the Nagas in the present State of Manipur have taken a firm political stand demanding an alternative arrangement to fill the vacuum in the governance of administartion so created by our severence of all political ties with the communal Government of Manipur on 1st July 2010, at Tahamzam (Senapati) declaration of the 3rd Naga People's Convention," the memorandum said.
The memorandum bears two-point declaration which said, "We support and reaffirm the Naga People's Convention Declaration of 1st July 2010, seeking an "Alternative Arrangement" from the Government of India in consultation with the Naga people at the earliest possible time and expedite- the process for Alternative Arrangement to the Nagas outside the State of Manipur" .
In Ukhrul district, the signatories of the memorandum were Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) and Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long.
In Senapati district, today's rally was organised by Naga People's Organisation (NPO), Mao Council, Maram Union, Poumai Mesome Me, Thangal Union and the Zeliangrongs of the district.