COMMITMENT FOR PROTECTION OF THE NAGA PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

COMMITMENT FOR PROTECTION OF
THE NAGA PEOPLES’ RIGHTS

LIST OF NAGA PEOPLES’ ORGANISATIONS (SOUTH NAGALIM)

TRIBAL HOHOS
1. Anal Naga Taangpi
2. Bujuur (Moyon) Aanchung Puh
3. Chiru Tribal Hoho
4. Chothe Lim Abom Manipur
5. Inpuii Naga Union
6. Kharam Tribal Hoho
7. Lamkang Naga National Council
8. Mao Council
9. Maram Naga Union
10. Maring Uparup
11. Poumai Masou Me
12. Sirti (Monsang) Upa Ruh
13. Tangkhul Naga Long
14. Tarao Tribe Union (TTU)
15. Thangal Naga Union
16. Zeliangrong Interim Body

FRONTAL ORGANISATIONS
1. All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur
2. Chamdil Naga Peoples’ Organization
3. Naga Employees Welfare Federation
4. Naga Officers’ Club
5. Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights
6. Naga Peoples’ Organisation (Senapati)
7. Naga Students’ Union, Chandel
8. Naga Women Union, Manipur
9. Naga Women’s Union, Chandel
10. Senapati District Students’ Association
11. Senapati District Women’s Association
12. Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong
13. Tangkhul Shanao Long
14. United Naga Council
15. Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Manipur
16. Zeliangrong Women’s Union

PEOPLES MOVEMENT:

1. Series of peoples consultations on the various policies and program that threatens the identity, culture, land and rights of the Nagas in particular and the tribals in general including imposed legislations: viz; Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Joint Forest Management under the Forest Act; Manipur Village Authority Act; Manipur Land Reforms Act; Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council 3rd Ammendment Act 2008 etc.
2. People’s consultations unanimously decided to reaffirm their commitment to protect the rights of the Nagas and initiate people’s movement to resist all forms of impositions and induced or imposed developmental program.
3. Peoples consultation unanimously decided that, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and 3rd Amended Act 2008 should be rejected in its present form and content, as the said Act does not protect and safeguard the rights of the people; to urge the Hill Areas Committee to immediately defer the enforcement of the Act.; and the elected representatives be urged to review the Act.
4. The Chairman and members of the HAC were informed to take positive steps to review and defer the enforcement of the imposed Act on or before 7th April, 2010, failing which, the Naga people would be compelled to take teps to withdraw their mandate.
5. Observed solidarity rejection of the Act on 5th April and solidarity protest -12 hrs chaka bandh on 6th April 210.
6. The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur imposed 6 days economic blockade w.e.f. from April 11 – 17, 2010.
7. ANSAM decided to intensify the ongoing economic blockade for another 7 days including inter-state bus services from midnite of 17th April – 24th April 2010.
8. Following the government of Manipur’s Cabinet decision to go ahead with elections to the Autonomous District Councils in Manipur hill districts in the month of May, the agitating All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) declared to impose the blockade indefinitely from April 24 midnight along the two national highways leading to Manipur.
9. The All Manipur Tribal Union (AMTU) urged the chief minister of Manipur to defer the elections to the Autonomous District Councils which have been slated for the month of May. The Tribal Youth Council, Manipur (TYCM) has resolved to oppose holding of election to the ADC and demanded review of the Third Amendment to the Manipur Hill Areas Council Act 2008, without which, the ADC elections in the hill districts of Manipur would amount to discrimination against the poor people living in the hill districts.The council also extended support to the tribal frontal organizations which are presently demanding a review of the third amendment to the controversial Act. Meanwhile, mass-based organizations viz. Kuki Students’ Organization (KSO), All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur, Manipur (ATSUM), and United North-east Tribal Village Chiefs’ Council in support of the ongoing agitation launched by All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM).
10. UNC endorsed all Tribe President, village Chiefs/Headmen/Chairman to strictly enforce the rejection of the Act. That includes all activities related to the functioning and other processes related to the aforesaid rejected Act. Concerned Tribe Hohos and Village authority may take appropriate action(s) as per Naga customary tradition against any individual who violates the decision of the people and any untoward consequences shall be at their own risk. Further informing all concern political parties/aspiring candidates to comply with the decision of the people and refrain from participating in the imposed election process to the scheduled ADC election 2010.
11. UNC served five days ultimatum for govt to lift ‘Wanted’ tag on Presidents of ANSAM and UNC.
12. The imposed ADC election process has been completed despite the Naga Peoples’ strong decision to reject the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 (3rd Amendment 2008) in its present form and contents. The election was not participated by majority Naga People as majority intending candidates from various political parties withdraw their candidatures and some took political retirement either through press and personal appearance
a. In Manipur North (Senapati) District no candidates file nomination in 6 constituencies, 12 constituencies the defiant INC candidates declared elected uncontested with no contestants from other political parties, in 6 constituencies there was a contest with dummy INC candidates where polling of vote is almost nill
b. In Ukhrul 20 constituencies the defiant INC candidates declared elected uncontested with no contestants from other political parties, in 4 constituencies there was a contest with dummy INC candidates where polling of vote is almost nill
c. In Chandel 4 constituencies were declared elected uncontested, in 10 constituencies there was a contest among the INC dummy candidates and there was proxy voting but the vote polling was negligible.
d. In Tamenglong 4 constituencies were declared elected uncontested, 20 constituencies there was a contest with dummy INC candidates. There was low turn over of polling votes.
e. In Sadar Hills all Naga intenting candidates withdrew their candidature and people abstained from voting.
13. The Naga People reiterating its consensus decision to reject the aforesaid imposed ADC election 2010 under the rejected Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, 3rd Amendment Act and declare the election as undemocratic and hence ‘Null and Void’. That under no circumstances the said Council will be allowed to exist and function.

RESPONSE BY THE MANIPUR STATE (STATE REPRESSION)
1. Manipur State announce Election after 20 years of not holding the ADC poll, Sadar Hills, Chandel and Churachandpur to exercise their franchise on May 26 as the first phase of the ADC polls.Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong tol exercise their franchise on June 2 as the second phase of ADC polls.
2. Naga Student leaders denied entry at Mao Gate to visit Oinam village.
3. Ato Kilonser ban from visiting his native village. DC Senapti imposed prohibitory order u/s 144 CrPC from 5 pm onwards till further orders vide No. DC (SPT) 16/17 (L&O)/10 dated Senapati 2nd May 2010.
4. War like situation created after the heavy deployement of Manipur state armed forces along the Nagaland-Manipur state border, particularly at Mao gate. All entry of vehicles to Manipur restricted.
5. Two students killed Mao gate and several women injured and thousands displaced
6. Church leaders assaulted at Mao
7. Women assaulted at Khumji, Tamenglong Dist.
8. Volunteers assaulted at Ukhrul.
9. Public leaders assaulted at Taphou, Senapati Dist.
10. One Church leader shot at, at Makhan village (Kanglatombi), Senapati District.
11. Ist phase of Imposed election of ADC conducted amidst boycott and bandh at Chandel, Sadar Hills and Churachandpur. The Chief Secretary, on behalf of the GOM invites UNC for talk on Economic Blockade and ADC at Imphal. UNC rejected the invitation on the ground that such an invitation for talk should have been initiated before the imposition of ADC election. Why after the commencement of polling?
12. Manipur Police have taken up two suo-motu cases against the members of the All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) and the United Naga Council (UNC). FIR lodge u/s 171-C/431/440/120-B of IPC and 8-BNH Act 1956
13. David Choro President of ANSAM and Samson Remei, President of UNC declared ‘wanted’ persons with cash reward of rupees one lakh each on their heads by the state Govt. of Manipur.

STAND OF NAGAS
1. The Naga People reiterating its consensus decision to reject the aforesaid imposed ADC election 2010 under the rejected Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council, 3rd Amendment Act and declare the election as undemocratic and ‘Null and Void’. That under no circumstances the said Council will be allowed to exist and function.
2. The Naga frontal organisatons reiterates their commitment to protect the rights and existence of the Nagas and that we shall initiate steps for the fulfillment of our objectives. We will severe all relationship with the Manipur State Government and all the dominant organizations and individuals who collude with it, until our history and situation are acknowledged and accorded due respect. We shall offer our all for the realization of an honourable political settlement and for the integration of all Naga areas whereby we will live as a people under one political roof, free from domination and exploitation.
3. The Consultation express serious concern on the war like situation prevailing in Naga areas due to the heavy deployment of Manipur state aremed forces reiterates its demand for withdrawal of Manipur State armed forces from Naga areas.
4. ANSAM made its position clear that any attempt to militarize the Naga People’s areas, threaten its right to existence and dignity to life, will not be tolerated. Further clarifies that it owns no responsibilities for any consequences to those who ventures outside the NH 53, 150 & 39.
The above observation and recommendation was adopted in the emergency Consultative Meeting of Naga Frontal Organisation held at Tahamzam on June 17, 2010 and attended by:
1. United Naga Council
2. All Naga Students’ Association
3. Naga Women’s Union
4. Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (S)
5. Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong
6. Senapati District Students’ Association
7. Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organisation
8. Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (regret)
9. Naga Students’ Union, Chandel (regret)