IMPHAL, Oct 19 (NNN):: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) will begin its agitation from the midnight of October 21.
Giving the reasons for the move, the ANSAM said the democratic process of dialogue initiated by the union home minister, that has seen three rounds of tripartite talk of the government of Manipur, government of India and UNC has been subjected to the comfort, approach and position of the communal GoM and therefore the Nagas in Manipur under the aegis of the UNC had served an ultimatum of 20 days from September 29, for initiating the process for intervention with an alternative arrangement outside the government of Manipur. This has been communicated through a press statement that was featured in the media on October 4 and on other dates for the information of the general public, the ANSAM said
With the lapse of 20 days without any visible initiative by the government of India for intervention with an alternative arrangement, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur is compelled to henceforth revert to sustained agitation till the demand for an alternative arrangement is met.
“We will be firstly observing a three-day total bandh in all Naga areas from the midnight of October 21 to midnight of October 24. However, in respect of Chandel District the total bandh on October 23 will be excepted/relaxed due to Chavan Kumhrin (Chandel Fest). Schools will be an exception but any vehicular movement on school duties will also fall under the perview of the total bandh,” the ANSAM said.
From October 25 there will be indefinite total shut down for 1 hour ie from 12 noon to 1pm everyday excepting Sundays in all district Hqs, Sub-Divisional Hqs and national and state highways.
Other forms of agitation and protest will be taken up in continuation and in addition to the above programme and shall be notified to the general public in due course, the Naga students` body said.
“We appeal to the general public for their cooperation towards the legitimate agitation and to support the movement for alternative arrangement to secure the democratic rights of the Nagas in Manipur as enshrined in the constitution,” it added.
