Ukhrul Violence: Protesting Nagas submit memorandum to PMO

Protesting killing of two persons by security personnel in Manipur's Ukhrul district last month, the Naga students Union Delhi have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister's Office seeking justice for the bereaved families.

Before submitting the memorandum, the Naga students Union Delhi spearheaded a protest march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament Street on Wednesday. They demanded a CBI probe into the August 30 incident.

The Nagas in Manipur have been demanding an alternative arrangement beyond the control of Manipur government in the state. Unfortunately the government has turned a deaf ear towards appeals made by people and civil societies.

In a statement, the Organizing committee member Lakpachui Siro said that "The legitimate aspiration and demand of the Nagas for peaceful separation from the state of Manipur has to be respected and the dialogue has to be expedited. In the current talks the UNC has been demanding for an alternative arrangement. We the students also feel that this has to be separated and the government of India should quickly interfere to find out a quick resolution".

It may be recalled that the Manipur government had imposed prohibiting order code under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the clash with the protestors took place on august 30. Both the UNC and the NSUD have been demanding the removal section 144, which they see it as a threat to their democratic right. "Because of the situation that has been created by the government of Manipur we would be enforcing at total ban on all the construction works on National projects in Naga areas from September 4. We would also enforce the ban on all vehicular traffic on national highway, state highway in Naga areas till such time political intervention comes from our honorable Prime Minister of India", said L Adani, President, UNC.

People claim that the imposition of the section affects their freedom of movement, thereby disrupting normal life. The Government, meanwhile, has been maintaining that the decision to impose CrPC 144 was in view of the law and order situation. However, people believe that such measures by the authorities in Ukhrul were a deliberate attempt to target Nagas in the state. Therefore the need of the hour is to pay immediate attention to the plight of the Nagas in Manipur.