IMPHAL, Sept 11 � The United Naga Council (UNC) lifted the indefinite blockade on the National Highways in Manipur from 12 noon today in reciprocation of the intervention of the Government of India and to create a conducive atmosphere for taking forward the Indo-Naga peace process. The UNC sponsored indefinite blockade had begun on September 4.
The emergency presidential council meeting of the UNC attended by Naga tribe presidents, Naga frontal organisations and district organisations held today deliberated on the request of the Government of India for review of the indefinite ban on national projects and vehicular traffic on the National Highways, the UNC said in a statement.
The UNC meeting recorded its appreciation of the actions initiated by the Government of India on the UNC memorandum to the Prime Minister on August 30 and its written assurance for sincere effort to resolve the Naga issue delivered in person by Prakash Mishra, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on September 9.
The meeting alleged that the contempt and disrespect of the Government of Manipur for the Indo-Naga cease fire has been the cause of the militarisation of Naga areas, killings of innocents and attack upon human rights and identity, and that these conditions have become accentuated with the delay in the settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.
It was also resolved that the indefinite ban on all construction works on national projects and ban on vehicular traffic on highways will be lifted with effect from 12 noon of September 11 in reciprocation of the intervention of the Government of India and to create a conducive atmosphere for taking forward the Indo-Naga peace process, the UNC statement said.
