Imphal | August 5 : Three more government offices have been burnt in and around Kangpokpi by volunteers of Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) today. Even as the demand committee tightened its stand, tensions escalated on the fifth day of the agitation demanding for the declaration of Sadar Hills into a full fledged district.
And with a meeting yesterday between the state government and representatives of SHDDC inconclusive, the impasse on the movement of traffic on National Highways 39 and 53 continues for now. A cabinet meeting today discussed the matter of granting districthood to Sadar Hills and pronounced it a genuine demand. The cabinet however decided that an in-depth deliberation and wide ranging consultation is essential before granting the demand.
Reports said that at least three government offices in and around Kangpokpi, 40 kms north of Imphal, were torched by strike supporters. At 10 pm yesterday, the office of primary health centre in Kalapahar near Kangpokpi was attacked by arsonists suspected to be volunteers of SHDDC. In other incidents, child development project office and sub treasury office, both in Kangpokpi, were set on fire by SHDDC volunteers between 1:20 am and 4 pm today.
A road leveler has also come under attack of enraged strikers between Kangpokpi and Senapati headquarters at 1 pm today. It is worth noting that representatives of SHDDC yesterday met the state government in order to hammer out a solution to the three decade old district demand issue but ended inconclusively.
Speaking to the media today, SHDDC president Ngamkhoaho Haokip noted that the general strike on National Highways 39 and 53 will likely continue even if the government issues mere written assurance on granting the demand for a full fledged district of Sadar Hills. In 1982 the then government issued written assurance for the declaration of Sadar Hills into a full fledged district but did not honor it, he said.
According to Haokip, at the meeting yesterday the state government led by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh did not seek from the SHDDC representatives to withdraw the ongoing general strike on national highways. He said the general strike in Sadar Hills and economic blockade on national highways were not discussed in the meeting and will continue as of now.
Tourism minister TN Haokip and power minister Pumzathang who were part of the government delegates at the meeting yesterday noted that there is no reason why the government should not consider granting the demand for districthood of Sadar Hills, said SHDDC.
President of SHDDC Ngamkhohao Haokip also stated that today’s editorial of local English daily, Hueiyen Lanpao, has needlessly provoked the people of Sadar Hills with its acerbic observation on the emerging issue. “We are thankful” for the provocation, he said with visible sarcasm.
It is unfortunate that there are sections of people in society who are driven to upset communal harmony, he said. If the newspaper does not tender an unconditional public apology, it will be banned in Sadar Hills, the president said while urging the people of the state to cooperate and support the demand for expeditious resolution of the three decade long impasse.
He also tendered apology on behalf of SHDDC for the stranded travelers who have been stranded at Senapati since the indefinite general strike two days ago and assured every possible assistance.
The best way for the stranded passengers is to walk down from Senapati to Sekmai, he observed and said that the people of Sadar Hills will provide every assistance between the journey. “The people of Sadar Hills have become very emotional and enraged with the way things have turned out that national highways are rendered completely out of bounds. Even members of SHDDC are not spared. They have had to walk long distances on foot during the general strike,” he said.
Meanwhile, large number of people from over 50 villages of Saikul block, located about 40 kms from Imphal, took out a massive rally from Thangkanphai playground to Saikul sub divisional office in support of the demand for a full fledged district of Sadar Hills and submitted a memorandum to the chief minister through SDO Manihar.
Naga students make stand on demand for Sadar Hills
Imphal, August 5 (NNN): The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) advises the Government of Manipur to recollect and refer the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Nagas in Manipur and the Government of Manipur and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Government of Manipur during the then Chief Ministership of Rishang Keishing and W.Nipamacha Singh respectively on the proposed creation of Sadar Hills district in the State of Manipur.
"The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) in particular and the Nagas in general would like to reiterate the Government of Manipur that Sadar Hills district will not be allowed to be formed/created by means of carving out/cutting away from parts of the Naga areas in the State of Manipur," the Naga students' body said. ANSAM also said that the Government of Manipur may not make policies and plans to bring differences and unnecessary confrontation among the tribals in Manipur. The tribals in Manipur have regretted the past and may not repeat the past at the evil behest of the Government of Manipur, it added.
"The formation/creation of the proposed District should be consensus and should be with the consent of the Nagas. Failing which the Government of Manipur may invite unwanted consequences. "While respecting the sentiments of the Kukis in Sadar Hills, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) would also like to appeal the Kukis in Sadar Hills not to seek or force any financial contribution and physical involvement from the Nagas in Sadar Hills in the demand for creation of Sadar Hills district issue. If such acts may occur the Nagas will fail to appreciate and respect one’s sentiment," the ANSAM added. The Naga students' body then appeals and "advises" the tribals in Manipur to be guarded with the divisive policy of the Government of Manipur and stay united as tribals.
TKS refutes, denounces SHDDC’s claim and demand
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 5 (MExN): The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), an apex student body of Tangkhul community, has strongly refuted the claim of Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) that the deceased Yaireiphi Lungleng as blockade supporter is totally mala fide and untrue, while terming the demand for Sadar Hill district as unjustifiable. This was stated in a press note issued by Yangmi Khapai President, TKS and Mahirah Raihing Gen. Secy, TKS.
The TKS termed the SHDDC general secretary Tonghen Kipgen’s statement in the press that Yaireiphi (22) was a blockade supporter as a sheer misleading report and blatant lie to the people in Manipur. The deceased girl was a student, daughter of Singlei from Tolloi village, Ukhrul district, and studying BA II at Damtai Christian College, Motbung. The girl was in uniform and knocked down by a vehicle while she was returning from college.
The SHDDC general secretary Tonghen Kipgen will be held solely responsible for any consequences arising from his misleading statement. The TKS has all the proof that the deceased girl was a student and was not a party to SHDDC.
The TKS also demanded that the State government must give ex-gratia to the deceased family of Yaireiphi Lungleng. We termed the SHDDC’s demand for upgradation of Sadar Hills to revenue district as totally unjustifiable. The TKS questioned the roadmap to create the Sadar Hill district as contentious and adversely affect the Naga interest. We will never endorse th
e demand of SHDDC.
