NESO congratulates entire NE People: Press Statement

NEW DELHI, 13 FEB 2019 – The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) which comprises of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Mizo Zirlai  Pawl (MZP), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), would like to congratulate the entire indigenous people of North East that through our united and concerted effort the Government of India has not been able to table the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 on the floor of the Rajya Sabha. 

NESO would like to thank all the component organizations who have worked very hard and sacrifice a lot to oppose this draconian Bill, on this occasion, it is very imperative to also thank the different state Governments of the North East who have taken a bold stand on this issue, notably the State Government of Meghalaya led by Mr. Conrad Sangma, the State Government of Mizoram led by Mr. Zoramthanga, the different Students’ Unions, Social Organisations, Women Organisations. 

Our gratitude goes to Mr. Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar in which his party the JD(U) has even taken a Resolution in their National Executive Council to oppose this CAB. 

NESO would also like to express its deep sense of appreciation to the different Political parties whom we have met and have extended their unstinted support to this cause particularly the Shiv Sena, Congress (I), SP, BJD, TMC, DMK, SAD, NPP, AGP,TDP, BPF and also even other political parties who have extended their support in opposing this Bill. NESO, could not forget all  the people who were injured during this movement especially in Tripura, Manipur and Assam and salute their bravery and wish for their speedy recovery and their sacrifice has not gone in vain.

NESO, would like to take this opportunity to call this momentous occasion as a ‘Moral Victory’ for the indigenous People of North East and we can achieve in stalling this Bill is only because of the united continuous movement of the people. This also goes on to show that the Government of India will not concede to our demands on a platter but we have to fight and struggle for the protection and survival of our indigenous people of North East. Lastly, NESO would like to give a strong warning to the Government of India not to adopt, implement policies which is detrimental to the interest of indigenous people of North East.

(Mr. Samuel Jyrwa)

Chairman

(Mr. Sinam Prakash Singh) 

Secretary General

North East Students’ Organisation (NESO)

Women burn effigy of Churachandpur DC

CHURACHANDPUR – Following the boycott of deputy commissioner of Churachandpur, Shyam Lal Poonia by Thaduo-Kuki Students’ Union (TKSU), there were also strong protests today morning (14-08-2018) against the DC by women folks which were held at two main intersections leading to the DC office approach road.

The protestors used placards that read ‘Shyam Lal Poonia, who are you to object Kuki Inpi Manipur?’, ‘Remove Shyam Lal Poonia from Churachandpur’, ‘Shyam Lal Poonia do not play with the sentiment of Kuki’ amongst others.

Though the DC failed to turn up at his office due to other official engagements, the protesters burned an effigy of him at the protest site shouting slogans. The protestors said that the agitation for removal of the DC will continue and will be intensified if the need arises.

It may be mentioned that TKSU boycotted the DC after he conducted cleanliness drives at different government offices during the 24-hour total shutdown called by Kuki Inpi Manipur last week. TKSU claimed that the DC disregarded the Kuki and their sentiments and is incompetent. The students’ union also demanded the removal of the DC from the district. ~ Imphal Free Press

UNC calls 48-hr general strike in Naga areas of Manipur

Imphal, Dec.11, 2013[TOI] --- Hill-based United Naga Council (UNC) has called a 48-hour 'general strike' in Naga-settled areas of Manipur from midnight tonight for formation of a separate administrative unit, UNC sources said. 

Official sources said the 48-hour general strike was likely to affect the movement of essential items-laden trucks from outside the state as both the national highways (Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar and Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati) pass through Naga-settled Tamenglong and Senapati districts. 

The sources said additional forces would be deployed along the highways to enable the trucks pass through the highways smoothly. 

The strike was also likely to impact the yearly 'Orange Festival' at None in Tamenglong on December 14 causing disappointment to hundreds of farmers who would not be able to sell their fruits. 

UNC sources said they would impose a 'ban very soon' on the construction of all national projects being implemented in the Naga-setted areas of the state. 

Official sources said representatives of UNC, central and state governments had earlier held tripartite talks on the demand of the UNC but no solution could be arrived at because the Naga body 'almost wanted to break up' the territority of the state to have 'an alternative arrangement' (separate administrative unit for the Nagas).

Bandhs by Kukis, Nagas set to cripple Manipur

IMPHAL: The Kukis have called a 48-hour general strike from August 13 midnight demanding the creation of a separate 'Kuki state' by carving out the Kuki-inhabited portion of Manipur. The Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) on Wednesday said the general strike will be effective in the Kuki-inhabited areas of the state.

Prior to the Kukis' bandh, Manipur will witness another bandh by the Nagas. The United Naga Council (UNC), too, called a series of agitations, including a 48-hour general strike, from August 11 midnight in protest against the Centre's failure to hold the sixth round of tripartite talk on their demand for an alternative administrative arrangement for Naga-inhabited areas in Manipur.

The KSDC, an umbrella body of several Kuki organizations and village chiefs, said it will stop all government projects undertaken in 'Kuki areas' during the stir.

"Our demand is Kuki statehood, nothing more, nothing less. We will continue our movement till Kuki statehood is achieved," said KSDC information and publicity secretary George Kuki on Wednesday, while appealing all to support the bandh to avoid any untoward incident.

The KSDC has also been demanding the Centre to hold political dialogue with 20 Kuki militant outfits that are signatories to the ongoing Suspension of Operation (Soo) with the government. The Kuki militants are also demanding a separate Kuki state.

The KSDC's proposed 'Kuki State' map encompasses Kuki-inhabited areas covering around 65 per cent of the entire Manipur spread over five hill districts - Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul.

Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel are however Naga-majority districts.

On the other hand, the UNC said the non-receipt of response from the Centre for holding the 6th round of tripartite talks involving the Centre, the state government and the Nagas on the demand for an alternative arrangement for Naga areas outside the state government was discussed in its meeting last Monday.

The fifth round tripartite talks was held at Senapati on February 12 this year.

Source:timesofindia

United Naga Council(UNC) calls 2-day bandh in 'Naga Areas' of Manipur from June 16

IMPHAL June 11 [TOI]--- Protesting against what it termed "relentless communal onslaught of the state government and communal forces of Imphal valley upon the Nagas and tribal communities," the United Naga Council (UNC) has called a 48-hour bandh in Manipur's "Naga areas" from Sunday midnight.

Another key reason for the stir is its growing demand from the Centre for an alternative administrative arrangement for the Nagas in Manipur independent of the state government. A decision in this regard was taken during the UNC's presidential council meeting held on June 3, the council said in a statement, adding that the stir would cover the ongoing Jiribam-Tupul railway project.

Among other points discussed in the meeting included the burning down of the Silent village in Tangkhul by neighbouring Saijang villagers on May 3 where properties worth crores of rupees were reduced to cinders and hundreds of villagers rendered homeless.

The state government imposed prohibitory orders under 144 CrPC in the area where the burnt houses once stood by declaring it a disputed area. Thus, the council members alleged, the government endorsed the terror unleashed by burning down the houses, clearly favoring Saijang villagers.

Instead of arresting the vandals and arsonists, the state government acted against the law of the land and adopted a communal position, alleged the UNC.

By evicting residents of 28 houses at Naga River Colony in Imphal, the state government on May 20 left more than 100 school students homeless. Three churches pulled down, it said adding that the standing court ruling of maintaining status quo was not honoured.

It said surrendered cadres of the KYKL (MDF) have been lodged by the state government with the 20th Assam Rifles at Chandel.

"Instead of developing the hills, the state government is using the tribal areas as the dumping ground for surrendered militant groups from the Imphal valley insulting the owners of the land. Organized protest has not resulted in any corrective measures from the government," the UNC further alleged.

In a bid to grab tribal land, attempts are being made to drag in tribal villages such as Khangshim, Kanemram, Nungaourok and Koraopokpi under Machi Block Chandel into Kakching block under Thoubal valley district. Signboards of the tribal villages have been damaged and provocative and derogatory insults are being hurled on the tribal communities, it said.

The UNC statement said that the political tour in Naga areas carried out in April and May at Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati districts has confirmed that the government's approach is communal.

Woman's murder sparks protests in Manipur

Imphal, Apr 7[indiaTVnews]--- In the aftermath of the brutal murder of a  woman  N.Satyabhama Devi, 32, the Joint Action Committee has enforced an indefinite Manipur Bandh since Saturday.

The JAC has demanded immediate arrest of the killer and has demanded punishment within five days.

All business establishments remained closed and schools did not open

Large number of men and women came out on the streets from Moirangkhom  near National Highway 2  to register their protests. They stopped vehicles from plying on the road and appealed to local shopkeepers to close down their shops.

In Kakwa Bazar, from where Sathyabhama Devi hailed, hundreds of men and women along with representatives of civil body organizations held a rally which was followed by a march from Kakwa to Singjamei Chingamakhong.

Slogans were raised against chief minister O. Ibobi Singh by the protesters. They tried to march towards Imphal, but were stopped by police late in the evening.

Manipur Crisis: UNC calls 72-hrs bandh in Naga areas on Dec 26

72-hours bandh to be observed in Naga areas of Manipur from 26 Dec 2012 Tahamzam, Dec 24, 2012  [UNC Press Note] ---  We are constrained to reiterate the Naga people's position on the reported manhandling incident at Chandel that the law of the land must act upon the guilty. Nagas have requested for lifting the bandh and given public statement that left without option we would take our own course of action. The communal Government of Manipur pretends to restore law and order through a police force that refuses to enforce it. Meanwhile the insult & humiliation; destruction of personal belongings, commodities and vehicles and physical assault on Nagas continues unabated in the capital of Manipur. This time it is a direct attack on the celebration of Christmas and Christianity. Even churches have not been spared and set on fire.  The Government of India has been asked to intervene as there is no government or rule of law and the mob of communal forces in Imphal valley have taken over vide the memorandum dated 23rd December, 2012 addressed to the Prime Minister of India. Government of India therefore is also responsible for the continuation of the anarchy in Imphal valley and the targeting of Nagas in particular. This mayhem has continued more than 68 hrs in full view and knowledge of the Government. Heinous crimes of rape and murder which abounds in Manipur have not seen such systematic communal campaign.  Even after the Film Forum Manipur & Manipur State Shumang Leela Council had called off the indefinite bandh with effect from the midnight of 23rd December, 2012, the tribals heading for respective villages for Christmas on 24th December, 2012 from outside the state and from Imphal valley with state police escorts were attacked, their belongings seized and destroyed and physically assaulted and this continues to this hour. The earlier camouflage of the Chandel manhandling issue has now been discarded as the organisers of the bandh have lifted it off. There is no more issue behind the agitation targeting Nagas and is now purely a communal campaign.  Now the whole world knows that this onslaught is premeditated and has been wilfully done and not through an error in judgement. The unbridgeable difference between the Tribals in Manipur and the Meiteis - historically, culturally, socially and even in religion has been brought out in greater clarity. Starting from the Chief Minister, political parties, social scientists and civil society organisations of the Meiteis, these differences have been affirmed with their persistent utterance of "civil war", "bloodbath" and "time bomb" in public platforms in relation to communal inter-relationship.  In view of the given situation where the communal Government of Manipur has allowed communal forces to persistently attack the Nagas in particular, it is our demand that the Government of India intervene immediately with an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur.  In pursuance of this urgent demand to the Government of India and to register our protest against the unabated communal attacks, a 72(seventy-two) hours bandh will be observed in the Naga areas with effect from the midnight of 26th December, 2012 to the midnight of 29th December, 2012. All Manipuri video and music CDs/cassettes, dramas and leelas will also be banned in Naga areas with immediate effect.  All Tribes Councils, frontal organisations and general Naga public will strictly enforce the above in their respective jurisdictions.  Publicity Wing United Naga Council

TV Journalist killed in police firing, curfew reimposed in Manipur, Bandh lifted till Dec 26 only

Imphal, Sun Dec 23 2012 [PTI] --- A journalist of a private TV channel was killed in police firing at Thangmeiband on supporters of the indefinite general strike in Manipur on its second day today and curfew was reimposed for 16 hours in Imphal East and West districts as violence spread to the capital complex here. Thangjam Nanao Singh, a reporter of 'Prime Time' channel received bullet wounds on his chest when police opened fire to disperse bandh supporters who torched the vehicle of the officer-in-charge of Lamphel police station, official sources said. He succumbed to his injuries at the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here. Following this curfew, which was withdrawn in the morning, was reimposed in the two districts from 2 pm for 16 hours. Announcements on the reimposition of the curfew was made by the administration over the public address system cautioning people from venturing outside as violence was reported from different places. State Home Minister Gaikhangam visited the hospital and condoled the death of Nanao Singh. He also appealed to the strikers, particularly Manipur Film Forum (MFF) to remain calm and and said efforts were on to trace and arrest the Naga militant who had molested the Manipuri actress. Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, he said, is meeting Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in Delhi to discuss the militant's arrest as NSCN-IM is engaged in peace talks with the Centre. The indefinite strike, called by MFF, is on demanding the arrest of NSCN(IM) militant Livingstone Anal for allegedly publicly molesting Manipuri actress Momoko during a musical concert in Chandel district on December 18. President of All Manipur Working Journalists Union Mobi Singh has meanwhile demanded that the police return the camera used by Nanao Singh in which the reporter had taken several pictures of the spot happenings. According to official reports a total four vehicles, including that of the officer-in-charge of Lamphel police station, were set ablaze by strike supporters in East and West Imphal districts. The three other vehicle were torched at Andro parking area, Langol and Khurai, all near here. Besides, the office of the sub-divisional officer at Laiphamkhunou in Imphal west district was also set ablaze by the agitators. Official sources said police burst tear gas shells to disperse bandh supporters at Thangmeiband, Khurai, Sagolband, Andro Parking - all in capital complex but no casualty was reported. Some people were injured when the agitators pelted stones at the general public in Imnphal East and West Districts, the sources said. The police personnel also chased away the agitators, who were blocking roads from various places and asked people to remain indoors during the curfew. Hundreds of people from hills who had come to the capital town were stranded and would be transported back with official escort to enable them participate in Christmas festivities, the sources added.

Manipur is burning: Indefinite bandh imposed, film artistes baton charged

IMPHAL, Dec 21, 2012 [TSE]: Film actors and artistes today took out a protest demonstration against the molestation of a film actress and firing at two other artistes by NSCN-IM's Lt Col Livinstone at Chandel district headquarters on December 18. The actors were protesting against the NSCN-IM's sheer disrespect of law and women's modesty. They were also demanding befitting punishment to Livingstone under the country's laws. In the meantime, the Film Forum Manipur, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and many civil society organisations have called an indefinite bandh all over the State with effect from this midnight for the same cause and demand which is punishment of accused Livingstone according to law. As the agitating actors and artistes marched towards the Chief Minister's office, they were blocked by the police, resulting in a tense stand-off. Ultimately, police resorted to baton-charging in their bid to drive back the protesters. In the ensuing scuffle, the victim of the molestation case collapsed. Earlier, in the day, film actors together with members of different civil society organisations staged a protest demonstration at Keishampat junction. The protesting actors chanted slogans like "Punish guilty Livingstone according to law", "NSCN-IM cannot have free run in Manipur", "Government should initiate befitting measures against NSCN-IM etc". On account of the protest demonstration, traffic along the busy road was disrupted for sometime. The actors squatted on the road thereby blocking traffic. They questioned how the police men could remain mute spectator when an actress was molested and kicked around by an outlaw right in front their eyes. They demanded the Government to act against the haughty, unlawful and uncivilized conduct of NSCN-IM in Manipur. After sometime, police resorted to baton-charging the protesters in order to drive them away. Coming back from the Chief Minister's office, the protesters held a meeting at Keishampat. There again, they shouted slogans like, "The Chief Minister should resign if he is unable to keep Chandel district under laws of the State", "Drive out NSCN-IM from the soil of Manipur", "No cease fire with NSCN-IM should be applied in Manipur, de facto or otherwise", "We condemn Government's indifference towards artistes" etc. Later the gathering agreed to continue with all sorts of agitation until and unless Livingstone Anal is punished accordingly and befitting actions are not initiated against NSCN-IM. Meanwhile, the All Tribal Women Organisation, Chandel district has strongly condemned molestation of an actress and firing at two other artistes by NSCN-IM's Livingstone at Maha Union Ground during a musical concert on December 18. It appealed to the Government to ensure that no such ugly incidents ever happen again. The organisation also appealed to the NSCN-IM leadership to ensure that none of its cadres ever commit such heinous and abominable crimes in future.