DIMAPUR, Nov 1 - The Naga Students� Federation (NSF) and NSCN-IM have voiced their opposition to the creation of any district from the present districts predominantly inhabited by the Nagas in Manipur.
�The consent of the Naga people in any matter related to the creation of the Sadar Hill district should be convincingly understood to avoid any untoward outcomes with regard to any government action,� the NSF said in a memorandum to Manipur Chief Secretary on Tuesday. It also strongly urged him to take �correct action� on the issue and also ensure that the ambiance in Manipur is conducive for peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic groups as always espoused by the Naga people.
The NSF further recalled with gratefulness the initiative taken by the Government of Manipur with various Naga civil society organisations on the understanding and agreements of various MoUs on the stated position of the Nagas against the creation of Sadar Hills district without the consent of the Naga people. The NSCN-IM, at an emergency joint meeting of its council of kilonsers (ministers) and the steering members on October 31 at its Hebron headquarters, took strong exception to the reported plan of the Ibobi-led Manipur government to declare Sadar Hills and Jiribam as new districts.
In a release today, the NSCN-IM said the meeting took a unanimous decision to oppose such provocative move to the last. Further, unequivocally reaffirming the ownership of the land that it is a part of ancestral Naga domain, the NSCN-IM asserted that unless rightful ownership of the land is acknowledged by the settlers, it will never tolerate any move that infringes upon the rights of the owner (Nagas). �However, we are prepared to negotiate on any proposed agenda if ownership is duly acknowledged and respected,� it added.
The NSCN-IM informed that 148 members from different Naga political organisations have joined it.
The Joint Council of NSCN/GPRN appreciated the bold decision they have taken keeping in mind the aspirations of the Nagas.
