One community has infringed the rights of Nagas; we cannot remain silent: UNC

The United Naga Council on Thursday held a one-day consultative meeting at Tangkhul Baptist Church, Imphal, to discuss the prevailing situation in Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.

The meeting was attended by a large number of Naga leaders, representatives of civil society organisations, church leaders, and student bodies. Speaking to the media after the meeting, General Secretary of the United Naga Council, Vareiyo Shatsang, said, “One community has infringed the rights of the Nagas, so the Nagas cannot remain silent anymore.”

He said the term “neutrality” was non-existent or invoked only when there was a crisis between the Meitei and Kukis

“However, now that one community has infringed the rights of the Nagas, we cannot remain silent. We have to defend our land, so we cannot be neutral anymore. Despite the fact that Nagas have been consulting different communities across the border, nothing is forthcoming, especially from the other communities,” the General Secretary added.

Vareiyo said the United Naga Council had spoken to them very frankly, stating that they should not provoke the Nagas, and that the Council had been silently observing. “But they keep on provoking us, and now they have entered the doorsteps of Nagas in sporadic places. Therefore, we cannot remain silent, and such a consultative meeting has been organised,” he added.

UNC President Ng. Lorho said the meeting was very positive and helped raise awareness of the situation. “Nagas look for peaceful coexistence with all communities.

However, if our neutrality is construed as weakness, I think we are bound to defend the people and protect the land,” he added.

He further said that if the Government of Manipur cannot manage the situation on National Highway 202, from Mahadev to Litan—which is the lifeline for people from Ukhrul and Kamjong—the Nagas are bound to take their own course of action.