PRESS RELEASE
Dated Ukhrul, March 11, 2010
A CONSULTATIVE MEETING of the Tangkhul Naga Frontal Organisations, village Chiefs/Headman/Chairman was held at Town Hall, Ukhrul on 11th March 2010 on “PEACE AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS” under the aegis of the United Naga Council.
The Consultative meeting was attended by Tangkhul Village Chiefs/Headmen/Chairmen, frontal organizations representing the Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, The Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Naga Women’s Union Manipur, United Naga Council and several public leaders and village authority members.
The Consultation had an extensive review on the status of the “Indo-Naga Peace Talk” and after a thorough deliberation the Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long proposed a Declaration of the Tangkhul Village Chiefs/Headmen/Chairmen and was unanimously adopted by appending the Declaration by the concerned village Chiefs/Headmen/Chairmen.
We the undersigned Chief/Headman/Chairman of the under mentioned name of villages and as the custodian of our land, resources, administration and with the mandate of our entire population of our respective Tangkhul villages, under the present Ukhrul District, Manipur on this 11th day of March, 2010, at Ukhrul, hereby declare the followings on the Indo-Naga Peace talk which is underway at New Delhi, India.
1. That, we reiterate our support and endorsement to the collective leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim to have a political dialogue with the Government of India for a negotiated settlement to the Protracted Indo-Naga Conflict.
2. That, as the custodian of our custom and tradition our identity, land and history will be defended and preserved at all cost and our firm political stand is to uphold the aspiration of the Naga people for integration of all Naga areas under one administrative roof and that this must be an integral component of the final negotiated settlement. That, for any settlement which excludes unification of Naga territories will not be honourable nor bring lasting peace.
3. That, it is our expectation that, the Government of India would sincerely demonstrate its political will to resolve the protracted Indo-Naga conflict through the ongoing Peace Process since the last 12 years for an acceptable and honourable settlement to both India & the Nagas.
The meeting further had an extensive discussion on a) Customary practice & traditional system of Land & Resource Management with relation to Forest Act 1927; The Manipur (Hill Areas) Village Authority Act. 1956, MLR&LR Act. b) International & Legal Instruments Protecting the rights of Indigenous peoples and c) Imposed legislation, policy & program that threatens the rights of the people with special reference to The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils (3rd Amendment) Act 2008; etc
After a thorough deliberation, the Meeting unanimously adopted the following decisions:
1. That, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act 1971 and the 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 .
2. That the Meeting decided to urge the Hill Areas Committee to immediately defer the enforcement of the Act.
3. That, the elected representatives should be urged to review the Act.
Issued by:
Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long,