11-point memorandum submitted to PM through DCs
Correspondents
IMPHAL, NOV 5: Simultaneous mass rallies in two Tangkhul (Naga) dominated districts Ukhrul and Kamjong in Manipur on Thursday sought an end to the ongoing violent conflict in the state and alleged proxy war while pressing for the removal of deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen from her present position.
The rallies were organized by the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and organizations affiliated to it under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC).
Hundreds of people from across the two hill districts came out to participate in the rallies dubbed “People’s Rally” which raised three key demands : (1) To resolve the political crisis in Manipur, (2) To stop the proxy war in Manipur, and (3) To remove Assam Rifles from Naga areas.
The rallies brought together people of all walks of against the ongoing violent crisis which initially started with the Meitei-Kuki conflict but expanded to Naga-Kuki conflict.
The rally that was held barely a day after a fresh firing toward security escorted passenger vehicles along Imphal-Ukhrul Road (NH-202) also demanded security clearance of all the national highways in the state.
“We demand security clearance of all national highways”, “Remove Nemcha Kipgen from the post of deputy chief minister,” “Abrogate SoO Agreement and declare Kuki militants as a terrorist organisation,” read some of the placards displayed during the rally.
Other placards read, “Repatriate all Kuki refugees and deport all illegal Kuki immigrants,” “Militarisation cannot resolve Manipur problem,” “End proxy warfare and stop killing innocent civilians,” “Col. Vivek Tripathi, Commandant 11 Assam Rifles: Enemy of the Tangkhul Nagas,” etc.
In Ukhrul, the rally originated from Dungrei Junction and snaked through the streets along Hungpung, Mission Ground and Alungtang before converging at a public ground at the district headquarters.
Addressing the participants, TNL president Sword Vashum stressed unity in the Tangkhuls to defend their rights, dignity and identity.
Some leaders stressed a genuine political will from the Centre to resolve the protracted crisis while others questioned the role and conduct of Assam Rifles in the ongoing crisis.
The leaders also called upon the Naga armed groups to unite while emphasizing that now is the time to stand together in pursuit of common goals.
In Kamjong, the rally began at the Police Gate and Kamjong High School Gate and culminated at Awontang Traffic Point after marching on the streets around the district headquarters. Leaders of the TNL and other organizations who addressed the participants alleged that the government of India is waging a proxy war against the Nagas using Kuki armed groups while accusing the Assam Rifles of colluding with Kuki militants.
Before culminating, leaders of the rally organizers submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the concerned DCs with a copy to the Union home minister.
In the memorandum, TNL highlighted an 11-point demand raised by the Naga bodies from the Central government.
Among others, the points included restructuring legislative representation between the hills and valley, identification and deportation of persons alleged to be illegal immigrants, rejection to any separate homeland or administrative arrangement for Kuki communities affecting Naga ancestral territories etc.
It also reiterated the demands for revocation of SoO agreements and disarming and arresting SoO cadres, relocation of internally displaced persons away from Naga-inhabited areas, cancellation of allegedly illegal settlement permits and removal of Nemcha Kipgen as the deputy chief minister of the state.
The memorandum also raised allegations against Kuki armed groups and questioned the neutrality of Assam Rifles.