IMPHAL, June 16 � A 48- hour total bandh beginning from midnight tonight in the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur has been called by the United Naga Council (UNC) Manipur in protest against the government�s alleged failure to fulfill their demands.
The decision to call the bandh has been taken in the recent Presidential Council meeting of UNC, said a statement of the Council here. The bandh will also cover railway construction works particularly in Manipur�s Tamenglong district.
Meanwhile, the All Naga Students� Association, Manipur has endorsed the stand of the UNC while the Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) have decided to refrain from the UNC bandh. Stating that their zonal offices in Manipur has intimated in this regard, Joint Secretary David Kamei of ZYF in a statement said that the decision to refrain from participation in the bandh is to express disagreement with the UNC�s arbitrary decision taken without ZYF being given opportunity to express views and opinions although ZYF is one of UNC�s frontal organisations.
The UNC statement, however, added the bandh was called to protest against the lack of sincerity of the Government of India (GoI) and Government of Manipur (GoM) in taking forward the tripartite talks regading the alternative arrangement demand of the Council.
The 48 hour total bandh would be followed by a series of other agitations if no response is forthcoming from the GoI and the GoM, the statement said.
Medical services, firebrigade, media, power and telecommunication departments have been exempted from the purview of the total bandh.
The statement has said that the democratic process of dialogue on the demand for an alternative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur through the tripartite talk of the GoI, GoM and the UNC, which was initiated by the Union Home Minister is a recognition of the sharp �social divide� on communal lines due to the marginalisation, discrimination and domination, which has led systematic degradation and obliteration of Naga and tribal history, culture, identity and rights to land and resources.
The last tripartite talk was held in presence of State and Central officials on June 30, 2011 at Senapati district in Manipur.
