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06/16/2005: "REPORT ON THE SOLIDARITY RALLY TOWARDS NAGA UNIFICATION AND IN SUPPORT OF ONGOING INDO-NAGA PEACE TALK: CHANDEL"

REPORT ON THE SOLIDARITY RALLY TOWARDS NAGA UNIFICATION AND IN SUPPORT OF ONGOING INDO-NAGA PEACE TALK: CHANDEL

Solidarity Rally Towards Naga Unification – The United Naga Council (UNC) organized the Solidarity rally on the 16th June 2005 at Chandel District Headquarter. At 10.00am sharp, Rev. W. Roel, President Chandel District Christian Forum invoked the Almighty God for the success as well as to formally launch the rally of more than 30,568 (Thirty Thousand Five hundred sixty eight) mostly Nagas and Non-Nagas (especially Meitei, Muslim, Mayang/Mias, Chin Kukis, Mizo) from Chandel and other districts of Manipur. The magnanimous gathering of the people from different walks of lives was so enthralling and exciting that the strong welcome speech given by Mr. D. Ringo, President CNPO may not be valued/big enough to commensurate the overwhelming response. Then turn-by-turn strong Naga leaders from different mass-based civil organizations like Mr. S. Khojohn (Tribunal General ANSAM), Mr. W. Hangshing Maring (Speaker NSF), Mr. Paul Langhu (President ANSAM), and Mr. M. Tolkham Maring (Secretary Social & Culture UNC) delivered strong massages on why the Peace Rally as such has been organized at this juncture. On taming/controlling the presumed disturbance in law and order situation in the valley, the Manipur State Government imposed Cr.PC144 in four Naga Hill districts in Manipur just to curtail and shudder the proposed Peace Rally Towards Naga Unification. No matter what, for the Nagas, what could be more important than their aspiration to live together as one and towards this, the Nagas are ready to face any consequences and eventualities and that has been proved beyond doubt by the massive turn out for the Rally. Towards the success of the rally business community in and around Chandel District closed down their shops and business institutions; villagers restrained themselves from going for hunting, fishing, or any kind of professional/occupational activities. Buses and others commercial vehicle owners took off roads their vehicles in entirety of the Chandel district. Education institutions both government and private were closed in solidarity to the Rally. Precisely the turned out from the Anal Naga tribe was 9500 strong; Maring Naga tribe: 9400 strong; Chothe Naga tribe: 2500 strong; Lamkang Naga tribe: 5000 strong; Monsang Naga tribe: 1750 strong; Moyon Naga tribe: 1700 strong; Tarao Naga tribe: 450 strong; Komrem Nagas from Komrem Region of Churachandpur: 60 strong and others like the Meitei, Muslim (Pangan), Mayang and Chin Kuki Mizo: 208 strong. The mass procession while going to submit the Memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through Shri W. Ajit Singh, Deputy Commissioner Chandel was the first of its kind. The peace procession lined up without break from the ground where public speeches were made till the DC office under humid weather of the day. Prominent placards read:
1. Justice delayed is, justice denied.
2. We do not want endless Peace Talk.
3. No unification No solution.
4. Stop provocative statements.
5. We support Peace Process.
6. We demand sincerity from GoI.
7. We want Peace to prevail.
8. Do not provoke the Nagas.


Matters of the Poster campaign reads:
1. Respect Historical Facts and ground reality.
2. Stop Indian Military adventurism against the Nagas.
3. Unification of the Naga Homeland is our birthright.
4. Nagas will decide their future.
5. “PEACE” like war must be waged.
6. Ceasefire between GoI and NSCN- IM is indispensable.

Banners read:
1. Naga Unification does not mean Meitei disintegration.
2. Nagas shall never accept the imposition of Meitei’s interest on Nagas.
3. Respect each other’s dreams and aspirations.
4. Resolved Indo-Naga issue through peaceful means.
5. Honoring of rioters as “Patriots” by the government of Manipur is a legacy of Neo-Colonialism.
6. We condemn declaration of 18 June as “Integrity Day” by the government of Manipur.
7. GOI must demonstrate their political will to resolved Indo-Naga issue.
8. Nagas wants to live under one political roof.


Selected leaders consisting of Mr. S. Khojohn (Tribunal General ANSAM), Mr. M. Tolkham Maring (Secretary Social & Culture of UNC), Mr. Paul Langhu (President ANSAM), Mr. W. Hangshing Speaker (NSF), Miss K. Merigold (Vice President NWUM), Mr. D. Ringo (President CNPO), Mr. R.L. Angdang Pakan (President NSUC) and All Presidents of Seven Naga Tribes of Chandel, Presidents of Seven Naga Students Unions and Presidents of Seven Naga Women’s Organization were present during the submission of the Memorandum addressed to the Honorable Prime Minister of India. Mr. S. Kho John, Tribunal General ANSAM read out the Memorandum before handing over to the DC Chandel District (to be submitted to the Honorable Prime Minister of India) in the presence of Superintendent of Police Chandel, SDO Chandel, and other leaders.

After the submission of the Memorandum, the Peace Rally continues all around the Chandel Town before they dispersed around 2.00pm.