Dimapur, October 26 (MExN): A ‘peace rally’ held at Tahamzam in Senapati district in Manipur under the aegis of the United Naga Council on October 26 had a reported 10,000 people from all walks of life demanding expediting the Indo-Naga peace process. The rally was addressed by leaders of the United Naga Council, the Naga Hoho, Naga Peoples’ Organization, Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organization, Tangkhul Naga Long and the Zeliangrong Baudi.
The rally highlighted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India that the Nagas in Manipur are expressing “grave concern” over the “tardy” peace process and that “the opportunity for lasting peace that lies before us could be wasted for both the great Indian nation and the Nagas if the same is not translated into a reality with sincerity and political will.”
Nonetheless, the memorandum said, the Nagas in Manipur are hopeful “in your government in bringing about an honorable and acceptable settlement of the Indo-Naga issue, which will promote peace in the entire South Asian region.” The memorandum also said the arrest and detention of what the memorandum called “Naga political leaders”, goes “against the very spirit of the ceasefire and may create an environment that is not conducive to the peace process.”
The PM is urged to take forward the peace process “to its logical conclusion” at an early date and “thereby” usher in “an era of peace and stability to the Indian sub-continent.” The memorandum was appended by the leaders of the United Naga Council, Naga Peoples’ Organization, Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organization, Tangkhul Naga Long, Zeliangrong Baudi, Naga Women’ s Union of Manipur and the All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur
