ANSAM president David Choro (right) and UNC leader Kaikho are seen here setting on fire copies of the Manipur districts’ Acts, in Senapati on Monday. (Newmai News Network)
Imphal | April 6 : Protestors and activists led by the All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur set on fire copies of the District Council (Third Amendment Act, 2008) documents in the district headquarters of Chandel, Senapati, Ukhrul and Tamenglong today. The students have denounced the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (Third Amendment Act, 2008).
Protest against autonomous district council polls
Speaking to Newmai News Network this afternoon, United Naga Council (UNC) president Samson Remmei said it will be wise on the part of the government of Manipur to consider the wishes of the people. This should be done by not imposing its move of conducting the autonomous district council elections under the present status, the UNC said.
“We have conducted series of consultation meetings in the hill districts and we are fully convinced that the people do not want the present Act (Third Amendment Act, 2008 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council,” said Samson Remmei. Also the UNC alleged in a communiqué that the Naga people have been suppressed and exploited by imposed legislations of Manipur state without free, prior and informed consent for a long time.
The UNC stated: “The Forest Act of 1927, the Manipur Hill Area Village Authority Act, 1956, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reform Act, 1960, etc, and now the Government of Manipur is trying to take away rights of the Hill people by the latest Act i.e. The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (Third Amendment Act, 2008).This Act has been rejected by in its present form and content as the said Act does not protect and safeguard the rights of the people. Therefore, in solidarity with the people burnt this Act”.
Samson Remmei said that the Naga frontal organizations are all set to impose the 12-hour ‘chakka bandh’ in the hill areas on April 6 which begins at 6 am. “After this phase of agitation we will sit down and chalk out further course of agitation by consulting with the people,” the UNC president said. The UNC president also said the Nagas will never allow any Act to be imposed on them by the Manipur government.