The United Naga Council (UNC) has reaffirmed its opposition to the arbitrary creation of seven new districts in Manipur, demanding the immediate rollback of the decision made on December 8, 2016. This was during the Congress regime when Oikram Ibobi Singh could not be wrong.
He was the 'protector' of Meitei interests and was already in power for almost 15 years. But he was ousted in 2017 polls.
The BJP stormed back to power in 2022 as well. But in circa 2024, the issue is back in the debate.
The apex Naga body in Manipur, the UNC, said the new districts were formed by bifurcating existing parent districts during the Congress regime, without consultation with key stakeholders, including the Naga people.
This move, according to the UNC, violates four standing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the government of Manipur and the Naga community, as well as assurances made by the Government of India in 2011.
The UNC further stated that the creation of the districts was not only undemocratic but also divisive, sparking widespread protests, hartals, and a 139-day-long economic blockade on national highways.
It may be pointed out that the newly-created districts are Tengnoupal, bifurcated from Channel district, Kampong from Ukhrul, Pherzawl from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi from Senapati and Jiribam from Imphal East districts.
Even in 2016, the United Naga Council (UNC) had protested the creation of two districts, Sadar and Jiribam, alleging that the new districts would encroach the ancestral land of the Nagas.
It is claimed that despite ten rounds of Tripartite Talks between the Government of Manipur, the UNC, and the Government of India, the last of which took place on March 9, 2019, no resolution has been reached.
The UNC has criticized the lack of follow-up on the commitment by the government of Manipur to bring forward concrete proposals in subsequent talks.
The UNC in a press statement has now announced a 48-hour total bandh in all Naga areas, commencing at midnight on October 3, 2024.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the UNC said the key BJP leader id now thus "expected to create a vital space and congenial atmosphere to rectify the errors".
However, all these activism, power politics and agitation from pressure groups are also often trapped as 'wheels' within wheels.
And in all these comes also the significance of Lok Sabha elections 2024. The entire electoral showdown was not in the name of Narendra Modi or voting for the NDA.
The NPF candidate apparently had the backing of 'social leaders' and also the crucial so-called backing of other influential stake holders. However, Kachui Timothy Zimik of NPF was defeated by the Congress nominee Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur.
These bring us to the debate whether some individuals or 'groups' have lost the support base. This is not unusual as faceless common people can always make use of the democratic measure that is the EVM (ballot papers) to turn the table.
New Delhi seems to be well seized of the issues involved. There will be a good reason to consider the element of 'diversion' attempt by stake holders and vested interests.
The North Block in New Delhi is under scrutiny when it comes to these sensitive and also emotive issues.
All eyes would be now again on how the Govt of India conducts its much expected meeting(s) with NSCN-IM leaders next week.
ends
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