SENAPATI, Nov 9 - The United Naga Council (UNC) has directed Naga people living in the �present State of Manipur� not to participate in the official programme of the �Sangai Festival, 2015� being organised and hosted by the Government of Manipur for passing of the �anti Naga tribal Bills and resolutions� by the Manipur Legislative Assembly on August 31, 2015 and killing of 9 civilians including a minor on August 31 and September 1, 2015 while they were trying to defend the inalienable tribal rights. Their bodies are lying at the morgue of Civil Hospital, Churachandpur for more than two months now.
�The Naga people in the 3rd Naga Peoples� Convention held at Tahamzam (Senapati) on July 1, 2010 had declared to severe all political ties with the communal government of Manipur as our land, history, culture, tradition, identity and time honoured traditional institutions could not be safely secured,� reminded the UNC in a statement today.
It then alleged that while the Government of Manipur ceaselessly, through its notifications, orders and publications, has been suppressing, oppressing and exploiting tribal peoples� rights on land and the State government is encouraging State-sponsored terrorism in our territory, there is no justification for the tribals to participate in any of the events being organised or sponsored by the State government.
The UNC said it has seriously viewed the manner and attitude of the State Government in handling the bodies of nine people. Now the government is inviting tribal people for the Sangai Festival, 2015 just to impress outside views and opinions.
�Therefore, the UNC do herby directs all tribe presidents and tribal Hohos not to allow anyone from respective tribes to participate in the official programme of the Sangai Festival, 2015, being sponsored by the State Government. Anyone defying this directive shall be doing it at his own risk,� it cautioned.
