NEW DELHI, Dec 20 - Amidst simmering tension in Manipur, the United Naga Council (UNC) on Tuesday demanded imposition of President�s Rule in the state.
A delegation of the UNC led by its vice president TS Warngam and �speaker assembly affairs� S Kho John on Tuesday called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at his North Block office and submitted a memorandum.
Later addressing newsmen, the two leaders said that the prevailing situation in Manipur as an election political drama enacted by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. They also suspect the Manipur Government of creating a law and order situation to scuttle the political negotiations with the NSCN(I-M) at the highest level.
They alleged that the Manipur Government was engaging in negative publicity, claiming that the UNC was not involved.
The leaders said the UNC had launched an economic blockade on November 1 and imposed a ban on construction works on national projects in protest against the �preparation� of the Manipur Government to bifurcate Naga ancestral lands through declaration of Sadar Hills and Jiribam as full-fledged districts on the pretext of administration convenience and development needs.
Thereafter, the Government of Manipur on December 8, declared seven new districts which include Kongpoki with the same territorial jurisdiction as Sadar Hills, the UNC leaders said.
The UNC has demanded deployment of Central forces in the Imphal valley, besides urging the Home Minister to prevail upon the Government of Manipur to immediately release the arrested UNC workers unconditionally. The UNC further requested the Home Minister to expedite the resolution of the Naga peace talks.
Asked about their demand for creation of greater Nagaland, the UNC leaders claimed they have no such concept but all Nagas want to stay together as a family.