Imphal: The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body representing the Nagas in Manipur, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding action on the long-standing issue of the creation of seven new districts in the state. The UNC warned of launching an intense agitation if the matter is not addressed within the stipulated time frame.
The ultimatum was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Senapati district and calls for redressal of grievances over the creation of seven districts in Manipur on December 8, 2016, under the then Congress government.
The UNC claims that this decision, which bifurcated existing parent districts, was made without the consent or knowledge of key stakeholders, including the Naga people, violating four memoranda of understanding between the government of Manipur and the Naga community.
The Naga body stated that the move also contradicted assurances given by the Government of India in 2011, which had promised that no such decisions would be made without consulting all concerned parties, including Naga organizations. The UNC recalled that this decision sparked massive protests, including a 139-day economic blockade that crippled the state’s national highways.
Despite holding ten rounds of tripartite talks involving the Government of India, the Government of Manipur, and the UNC, the issue remains unresolved. The last round of talks took place on March 9, 2019, with a promise from the Manipur government to present a concrete proposal in the next meeting, which was expected in July 2019 but never materialized.
The UNC reiterated its strong opposition to the “arbitrary, undemocratic, and divisive” creation of the seven districts and stated that any subsequent rulings or decisions on the matter would be rejected.
The Naga body also reminded the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of its previous requests to resume the tripartite talks, the latest being a reminder on February 23, 2024. However, the MHA has yet to respond to these requests.
During an assembly on May 29, 2024, and a subsequent Presidential Council meeting on August 9, 2024, the UNC unanimously resolved to launch an intense agitation if the government fails to roll back the creation of the districts and restore the status quo as per the four memoranda of understanding.
“We have appealed through petitions, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The Naga people have now resolutely set a 15-day deadline to address the issue. If no action is taken, we will begin an intense form of agitation until our demands are met,” the UNC warned.
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The Council also urged Amit Shah to create a conducive environment for resolving the issue, stating that rectifying the “errors of the past” would benefit all parties and help restore peace in the state.
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