UNC calls 24-hour total shutdown from August 14 midnight to August 15 midnight in Naga inhabited areas
TFM Desk
A violence protest erupted in Chandel district after Manipur police personnel allegedly removed “Naga national flags” hoisted by civil society organisations to mark Naga’s Independence Day on Saturday. The protesters ransacked traffic police barricades and set ablaze a booth cabin in Chandel headquarters.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council (UNC) condemned the provocative action of state security forces in dishonoring the sanctity of Naga national flag and the people of Chandel district in particular.
It also announced total shutdown in all Naga areas for 24 hours with effect from midnight of August 14 midnight to August 15 midnight August 2021. The shutdown was declared in protest against the Manipur Chief Secretary’s August 7 deliberately imposing to all the village chief/headman/Chairman to collect the Indian national flag from their concern SDOs and to hoist and celebrate the 75th India’s Independence Day on August 15 2021 in their respective villages, UNC said in a statement.
Condemning the imposition of India’s values, the UNC said India is a democratic country and the Naga people had never opposed the celebrations of Indian Independence Day. It is unprecedented that the Government of Manipur and District Administrations resorting to such cheap tactics to further suppress the political aspiration of Naga people and decades-long struggle for achieving enduring peace in the region, it added.
The organisation further said the ransacking of Naga People Organization (NPO), office Senapati and Senapati District Students’ Association (SOSA) office and snatching away of Naga Flag by the Assam Rifles is tantamount to insulting the Naga people.
It directed the District Apex Organizations, Women, Students and Tribe Hoho to strictly enforce the total shutdown in their respective jurisdiction. Anyone defying the shutdown will be at his/her own risk.
The UNC also appealed to the general public and the Nagas in particular to extend their fullest cooperation.
The Chief Secretary of Manipur should retract the aforementioned order at the earliest possible. Failing which, UNC will take its own course of action, said a statement issued by UNC’s publicity wing.