Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, March 18 2010:
The Naga frontal organisations and village chiefs in Chandel district in their consultative meetings held on March 16 and March 17 have endorsed the 'Naga peace talks' and resolved to reject the amended Manipur District Council Act, 2008 .
On March 16 the Maring frontal organisations held a consultative meeting at Kangshang village community hall in this regard while on March 17 representatives of Anal, Chothe, Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Tarao held the similar meeting at Panchai village community hall.
Both the programmes were organised under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC).
Frontal organisations representing the Chamdil Naga Peoples' Organisation, Anal Naga Taangpi, Bujuur (Moyon) Aanchung Puh, Chothe Lim Abom Manipur, Lamkang Naga National Council, Sirti (Monsang) Upa Ruh, Tarao Tribe Union (TTU), Naga Women's Union, Chandel, Naga Students' Union, Chandel, Maha Area Chief Association, Chamdil Sub-Divisional Chief Association, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Naga Women's Union Manipur, United Naga Council and several public leaders, church leaders and village authority members participated in the March 17 programme.
In the March 17 programme, those participated included Maring Village Chiefs/Headmen/Chairmen, frontal organisations representing the Maring Uparup Assembly, Maring Students' Union, Maring Napuiya Yinglam (Maring Women's Union), All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Naga Women's Union Manipur, United Naga Council and several public leaders and village authority members.
In both the consultative meetings the Naga frontal bodies and all those participated resolved and said, "We the undersigned chiefs/headmen/chairmen of the undermentioned villages, as the custodian of our land, resources, administration and with the mandate of the entire population of our respective villages, under the present Chandel District, Manipur on this 16th day of March, 2010 at Kangshang village and Panchai hereby declare the followings on the Indo-Naga Peace talk which is underway at New Delhi, India"."We the undersigned chief/headmen/chairmen of the undermentioned names of villages and as the custodian of our land, resources, administration and with the mandate of our entire communities hereby declare the followings on the Indo-Naga Peace talk which is underway at New Delhi, India that, we reiterate our support and endorsement to the collective leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim to have a political dialogue with the Government of India for a negotiated settlement to the Protracted Indo-Naga Conflict," said the joint pledge of Naga organisations of Chandel district.
"As the custodian of our custom and tradition our identity, land and history will be defended and preserved at all cost and our firm political stand is to uphold the aspiration of the Naga people for integration of all Naga areas under one administrative roof and that this must be an integral component of the final
negotiated settlement.
That, for any settlement which excludes unification of Naga territories will not be honourable nor bring lasting peace", another resolution of the Naga bodies of Chandel stated.
"It is our expectation that, the Government of India would sincerely demonstrate its political will to resolve the protracted Indo-Naga conflict through the ongoing Peace Process since the last 12 years for an acceptable and honourable settlement to both India & the Nagas" one resolution of the organisations said.
The Chandel district meetings further had an extensive discussion on the Imposed legislation, policy and program that threatens the rights of the people with special reference to The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act.
1971 (3rd Amendment) Act 2008; etc.
After a thorough deliberation, the Chandel Consultative Meetings unanimously adopted certain decisions which said that the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and the Amended Act 2008, should be rejected in its present form and content, as the said Act does not protect and safeguard the rights of the people.
Another decision statesthat the meeting decided to urge the Hill Areas Committee to immediately defer the enforcement of the Act.
Finally, one decision says that the elected representatives should be urged to review the Act.