IMPHAL, Feb 24 � Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba�s reported statement to upgrade Sadar Hills into a full-fledged district once the party comes into power in the State has evoked sharp reaction from the United Naga Council (UNC), Manipur.
�The comment by Manipur BJP president Th Chaoba, while speaking at a one-day awareness-cum-mass enrolment programme of the party on February 19 at Henbung, Senapati district, to upgrade Sadar Hills into a full-fledged district once BJP comes to power in the next Manipur Assembly Election is a direct challenge to the memorandums of understanding and exposes its utter disregard for peoples� political sentiments,� said a statement issued by the UNC information and publicity wing here.
�If anything goes wrong due to this kind of political agenda of incitement, Th Chaoba and the State BJP unit should be held responsible.
�Chaoba and his party should not forget the four MoUs signed between the Government of Manipur and the Naga civil societies on December 14, 1981, November 10, 1992, September 27, 1996 and June 23, 1998 in connection with the Sadar Hills issue,� the statement added. �He and his party should not forget that the Government of India was also directly involved in this sensitive issue in the recent past.�
The UNC also warned all political parties, groups and individuals against playing any communal game on the Sadar Hills issue.
It may be mentioned here that the Sadar Hills issue is a bone of contention among the various tribal communities. Many bandhs and blockades were staged and even precious lives and properties lost over his issue.
