The Hindu : National : Naga students ask tribal MLAs to quit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 15, 2005

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National

Naga students ask tribal MLAs to quit

Correspondent

Naga identity and dignity cannot be safeguarded in the prevailing circumstances, says association

Economic blockade to be intensified Manipur organisations plan stir

IMPHAL: The All-Naga Students' Association of Manipur (ANSAM) has asked all Naga tribal MPs, Ministers and MLAs in Manipur to resign. It said, "the Naga identity and dignity cannot be safeguarded" under the prevailing circumstances in the State.

The response of the people's representatives is awaited. A few weeks ago they signed a memorandum, requesting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to merge the Naga-dominated areas of Manipur with Nagaland as the Nagas wanted to be together.

The ANSAM would also intensify the economic blockade, begun on June 20 demanding the scrapping of the declaration of June 18 as a State integrity day holiday.

The Nagaland-based Naga Students' Federation (NSF) has been blocking all Manipur-bound vehicles on national highways 39 and 53, which are lifelines in the State in the absence of rail traffic. National Highway39 passes through Nagaland. There are many Naga villages along NH 53.

Medicines transport allowed

In response to appeals from doctors, the ANSAM has allowed transport of life-saving medicines. However, food and fuel are scarce. Virtually nothing is available in the market. Thousands of families have started cooking with firewood and charcoal in the absence of LPG cylinders. Petrol is rationed as and when oil tankers are brought to Manipur with armed escort.

A military spokesman on Thursday said the Army and Assam Rifles had cleared vast tracts along NH 53. The Border Roads Organisation repaired many stretches, bridges and culverts. Earlier insurgents set up checkpoints along NH 53 to extort tax.

Organisations in the Manipur valley have been appealing for early lifting of the blockade but they are against revoking the declaration of the June 18 holiday. They say it has been done in honour of the 18 persons who made the extreme sacrifice for protecting their territory.

However, the ANSAM and other Naga organisations say they are Nagas and not Manipuris and as such they have nothing to do with it.

Besides the declaration of the holiday is an "impediment" to the Naga unification movement.

The Manipur organisations say they will launch an agitation on Friday if the State and Central Governments do not get the blockade lifted.

Governor S.S. Sidhu has, in a report to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the Naga agitation could have been avoided. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's declaration of June 18 as a State holiday sparked protests from the Nagas.

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