Take fair approach towards Nagas, NSF ask Pillai
Kohima, Jun 5: Taking serious note of the statement made by Union Home Secretary GK Pillai with regard to the ongoing agitation launched by the various Naga organisations including NSF to protest against the ‘suppressive policy’ of the Manipur government under the Chief Ministership of O Ibobi Singh, the NSF today asked Pillai to be more fair in his approach to the present crisis if he is really interested in solving the issue. A press statement signed by NSF President Mutsikhoyo Yhobu said Pillai is known for creating trouble and dividing the Naga people from the day he was appointed as North East in-charge in the Ministry of DONER and added that he has intensified his divisive campaign towards the Nagas ever since he was appointed the Home Secretary.
The Federation also questioned Pillai as to whether he has any concern for any other humanitarian issues other than blindly supporting the Manipur government, pointing to the quit notice served on the Hindi speaking people including Bengali and Assamese living in the Imphal valley by various Meitei Organisations. “Is Mr. Pillai the Home Secretary to the Govt. of India or the Spokesperson of the Meiteis?” it sought to know. The NSF felt that instead of threatening and being abusive, a person manning the high profiled and very important chair of Home Secretary of the biggest democracy should be more sensible and impartial towards all concerned for the interest of justice and lasting peace, especially when this part of the region is undergoing a trying period.
“In fact, on many occasions Mr. Pillai has been embarrassing and enhancing the burden of the Govt. of India instead of bringing solutions to the problem,” the NSF maintained while also asking him to read thoroughly the recent amendment of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils Act which has taken away the right of the tribal people including the Nagas before jumping into conclusion as to whether the action of the Nagas to launch agitations in protest against such manipulative and oppressive act of the Manipur government is justified or not.
Regretting that Pillai is not aware that it was the Manipur government who blocked the National Highway in the first place, the NSF recalled that on May 3 last when the NSF delegation was travelling to Oinam village at Senapati district, the Manipur Commandos and Manipur Rifles had erected barricade on the National Highway-39 and prevented the NSF delegation from proceeding to Oinam village to hold the Federal Assembly.
“Pillai should remember that the Federation has imposed restrictions of movement of the Manipur Registration vehicles in all the Naga Areas in response to the blockade launched by Manipur Govt.,” it claimed while also maintaining that Pillai should remember that two of Naga students were brutally shot dead by the Manipur government on May 6 at Mao Gate during a peaceful rally. Meanwhile, the Mao Council resented the statement made by Pillai on the economic blockade by the various Nagas civil societies in Manipur, saying such a remark by one of the most respected Indian bureaucrats is unbecoming, unfortunate and regrettable. Terming his statement as void of valid justification and bias, the Mao Council said he failed to see the reasons and root cause of the blockade. If he is so concerned about the sufferings and human rights of Meiteis, why is not concerned about the suffering of the Nagas who are fighting for their rights for last six to seven decades, the Council in a statement asked.
