Imphal, Nov 12 : United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, has again raised the demand for an alternative administrative arrangement for Nagas living in Manipur.
Accusing the Okram Ibobi Singh government of neglecting the indigenous people, the council has urged the Nagas to join the movement for an alternative arrangement outside the purview of the Manipur government.
“The only option was peaceful parting of ways in good neighbourliness. It was not narrow or parochial politics,” the council said in a statement issued here today.
“Every Naga, wherever he is positioned, must, therefore, take up ownership of the movement for securing an alternative arrangement outside the government of Manipur pending settlement of the India-Naga issue,” the statement said.
The demand for an alternative arrangement was raised at a time when citizens’ organisations in the valley have strongly opposed it.
Ibobi Singh, who was consulted by Union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde twice on the ongoing NSCN (I-M) talks, is under pressure from political parties and public organisations to share details of progress of the talks.
Singh, however, has been denying knowledge about details of the talks process.
In a panel discussion held at the Manipur Press Club here yesterday, social activists, including a Manipur University teacher, strongly opposed any move by the Centre to sacrifice Manipur’s interests while signing an agreement with the NSCN (I-M).
Speakers at the panel discussion suggested holding talks between the Meitei and the Naga leaders to resolve the differences and preserve peaceful co-existence.
The council, however, remained firm that the hill people were neglected by the state government and insisted on an alternative arrangement for the Nagas living in Manipur.
To cite an example, the council’s statement said the public works department had recently released only Rs 3.51 crore for the hills while Rs 5.71 crore had been released for the valley. No money was given to Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts.
Reacting to deputy chief minister Gaikhangam’s statement yesterday at a function in Senapati district that the state government was committed towards development of the hill districts, the council said facts like the imbalanced release of funds spoke otherwise.
“Where is the development in the hills?” the council asked. “In the name of prevailing law and order, the government has shut down all its activities in the hills.”