Guwahati: In a significant move, the United Naga Council (UNC), an apex body representing the Nagas in Manipur, has barred Congress MP Alfred Kanngam S Arthur and two other political figures from public platforms and leadership roles within the Naga community for seven years.
The other two individuals are S Kho John and Allyson Abonmai.
The UNC issued a public notification stating that the action was taken against the trio for “purposively defying and failing to respect and honour the position of the UNC” in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
The notification, signed by H James Hau, the information and publicity secretary of the UNC, emphasised that their actions were seen as a “willful attempt to challenge the Naga people’s position and its spirit of unity.”
They have been debarred from public platforms and holding any position or leadership in the Naga society for a period of seven years with immediate effect, the notification read.
The UNC has directed all its constituent units, subordinate or associate units, and the Naga populace to uphold and enforce this resolution within their respective jurisdictions.
It may be mentioned that on February 27, 2024, the Naga apex body convened a consultative meeting at its head office in Senapati district headquarters with all the intending Naga candidates for the then-ensuing 18th Lok Sabha polls.
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The meeting was attended by eight aspiring candidates, including the former UNC president Kho John, Dr Allyson Abonmai, and Kachui Timothy Zimik, who contested the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Lok Sabha Election from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) ticket. However, the newly-elected MP Arthur failed to attend the meeting.
In a statement, the UNC stated that the purpose of the meeting was to foster unity among the Naga community in light of the current circumstances.
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