Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, March 13: The United Naga Council (UNC) in its `presidential council meeting` to organize “coffin rally” on March 14 has been postponed and instead, 15 hours of total shut down will be imposed in all the “Naga tribal districts”, national highways including all the national and international projects with effect from the midnight of March 17 in support of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against 3 anti tribal bills and as a mark of 200 days of “sorrow and unrelenting struggle” for justice and “our continued fight for our inalienable” tribal rights over lands and identity and also to pay befitting tributes to the 9 tribal “martyrs”.
According to the UNC, the 3 anti tribal bills passed by the Manipur State Assembly on August 31, 2015 was followed by sudden spontaneous uproars by the tribals in the “present” state of Manipur were a culmination of the rage and resentment felt against decades of subjugation, marginalization and oppressive policies of the “communal” Government of Manipur towards the indigenous tribal people.
“9 tribal brave hearts had martyred for the tribal cause. Their mortal remains still await acceptable solution for their fellow tribals and honorable burial,” the UNC note added.
According to the UNC, the inordinate delay on the part of the Government of India (GoI) in solving the issue even after 200 days is beyond human imagination and also questioned the authority of the Central Government for allowing free hand to state sponsored terrorism. The Government of India should intervene and recue the indigenous tribal people from “O Ibobi Singh and his government”.
The United Naga Council (UNC) then appealed to all the general public to extend fullest support and co-operation for effective implementation of 15 hours of total shut down. “All the tribes and regional organizations are informed to take up every appropriate measures or steps in their respective jurisdictions. Any one defying or violating the directive shall be at his/her own risk,” the UNC cautioned.