IMPHAL, August 7 (The Hindu): The Manipur Cabinet which met on Friday night failed to take a decision on the formation of the Sadar Hills district. The All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (Ansam) has warned that if the government went ahead with the new district, to be carved out of Senapati district, ignoring the two memoranda it signed with the Ansam and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) it would not remain silent. When the Sadar district agitation intensified, the Ansam and the NSF launched their own campaigns saying that land of the Nagas should not be touched.
Two Chief Ministers, Rishang Keishing and W. Nipamacha, had signed MoUs in this regard. Official sources said that if any concrete steps towards formation of the new district were taken there would be retaliation from the two Naga students’ bodies. As the Nagas and the Kukis reside side by side it is impossible to carve out the Sadar district excluding the Naga villages and land. Talking to journalists Ngamkhohao Haokip, president of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee said the agitation would be withdrawn only when the new district was formed. The Kuki Stuents’ Organisation and others have said the demand should be conceded. They are threatening to impose an economic blockade on NH 39 in Chandel district.
Two Chief Ministers, Rishang Keishing and W. Nipamacha, had signed MoUs in this regard. Official sources said that if any concrete steps towards formation of the new district were taken there would be retaliation from the two Naga students’ bodies. As the Nagas and the Kukis reside side by side it is impossible to carve out the Sadar district excluding the Naga villages and land. Talking to journalists Ngamkhohao Haokip, president of the Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee said the agitation would be withdrawn only when the new district was formed. The Kuki Stuents’ Organisation and others have said the demand should be conceded. They are threatening to impose an economic blockade on NH 39 in Chandel district.
