DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 1 (MExN): Nagas in the present state of Manipur has written to the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh for an early and honourable settlement to the Indo-Naga issue on the “basis of unique history and situation of the Nagas”. A total of 22 mass based organization led by the United Naga Council (UNC) issued the appeal letter.
While stating that Naga people “await the historic settlement in great anticipation”, the letter to the PM expressed concern over what it termed as “postures being projected by certain groups particularly in the present state of Manipur, without any historical or political basis in connivance with the communal Government of Manipur with the intention of disturbing the Indo-Naga peace process”.
“The communal forces particularly in Imphal valley have lately been on the offensive by equating the impending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue with a time bomb in the public discourses and have been stridently inciting sentiments against the same. We strongly feel that taking cognizance of such frivolous postulation will be against the very spirit with which the unique history and situation of the Nagas have been recognized by the Government of India”, stated the representation to the PM.
Pointing out that the “conditions under which the Nagas in particular and tribals in general subsist under the Government of Manipur are unconstitutional”, the PM was told that the democratic rights and guaranteed protections of tribals have been “submerged by the interest of the dominant valley community”.
It went on to say that the “political position of the Nagas in demand for an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue has been drawn from this very unmistakable fact”. It stated that this position has already been registered with the Government of India and that the tripartite talk of the Government of India, Government of Manipur and the United Naga Council on this demand has already completed its fourth round.
It stated that “delay in the settlement of the Indo-Naga issue would tantamount to deprivation of democratic rights of the Nagas in Manipur to the extent of delay” and that “it is therefore the moral responsibility of the Government of India to bring the Indo-Naga negotiation to its logical and honourable end at the earliest possible time”.
The mass based Naga organizations in Manipur firmly believed that an “honourable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue will bring peace not only in our land but also just peace for the entire north-east people and the region and also benefits from it in genuine and long terms”.
“We therefore request the intervention of your good office and exercise of political will to expedite the Indo-Naga peace process. The Nagas in the present state of Manipur continue to place their confidence in your dynamic leadership and wish you good health and every success”.
