Nagas warn of fresh action as PM visits Manipur
December 3rd, 2011 - 5:08 pm ICT by IANS
Imphal, Dec 3 (IANS) The United Naga Council, which recently lifted the over 100-day economic blockade of Manipur, Saturday warned of fresh action if their land is “bifurcated”. The threat comes when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, accompanied by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, is on a day’s visit here.
“The Nagas in Manipur will not accept any excuse and will do something about it if the government tries to bifurcate the land which belongs to Nagas,” a UNC leader told IANS on phone on condition of anonymity.
A powerful bomb exploded in the Manipur’s capital of Imphal Wednesday just 50 metres from the newly constructed City Convention Centre which Manmohan Singh is scheduled to inaugurate.
“What we are demanding is that our traditional land be respected and let us live where we belong. Nagas can live with any community but you cannot give our land to someone else,” said the leader.
He alleged that authorities are interested in conceding the demands of Kukis, who are demanding a separate district.
“The policymakers are trying to create a homeland for Kukis but the land belongs to Nagas, not to Kukis,” the leader said in an assertive tone.
The state went through a gruelling economic blockade which was launched by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) Aug 1 for conversion of the Kuki tribal majority Sadar Hills area into a full-fledged district.
The Kukis lifted the blockade on two highways — Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati (NH39) and Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar (NH53) — on the 92nd day after the state government agreed to their demand for creating a district, a move opposed by the Nagas, who resorted to a counter blockade.
The UNC lifted its blockade temporarily Nov 28 ahead of the prime minister’s visit.
The three-month long blockades led to severe shortage of essentials, including fuel, cooking gas cylinders and medicines.
- United Naga Council temporarily lifts Manipur blockade - Nov 28, 2011
- 92-day Manipur blockade partially lifted - Nov 01, 2011
- Total blockade in parts of Manipur, life badly affected - Nov 04, 2011
- BJP slams government for Manipur blockade - Nov 07, 2011
- Situation in Manipur remains grim: Minister - Dec 01, 2011
- Blockade lifted, but Manipur still tense - Dec 02, 2011
- Manipur on brink of breakdown with 99 days of blockade - Nov 07, 2011
- PM to visit blockade-hit Manipur - Nov 28, 2011
- On Day 100, Manipur warns of 'harsh action' - Nov 08, 2011
- Manipur blockade enters 100th day, supplies drying up - Nov 08, 2011
- Parties demand President's Rule in blockade-hit Manipur - Oct 14, 2011
- Key highway in northeast open: Chidambaram - Aug 04, 2010
- Naga group threatens fresh blockade, invited for talks - Aug 03, 2010
- Prices soar in blockade-hit Manipur - Oct 23, 2011
- Gadkari to meet PM on Manipur blockade - Oct 21, 2011
Tags: anonymity, bomb, congress president sonia gandhi, conversion, dateline, economic blockade, excuse, gas cylinders, kukis, manmohan, manmohan singh, medicines, naga, policymakers, prime minister manmohan, prime minister manmohan singh, sadar, state government, two highways, unc