District demand has Naga outfit up in arms

Handling of the present crisis and the biased attitude demonstrated by the Manipur government has been viewed as a deliberate attempt to pit one community against the other, a statement of the UNC said in Imphal.

The Nagas have been resisting arbitrary encroachment and creation of artificial boundaries of their land since the colonial period and hence,any attempt on the part of the government of Manipur to create new districts without consulting the Nagas will be strongly opposed.

With the UNC opposing the demand for creation of Sadar Hills,the differences between the Naga and Kuki communities have become sharper once again. The two communities had engaged in violent clashes in Manipur and Nagaland a decade ago,leading to large-scale displacement of people.

The bandh that began from midnight would be effective for interstate and state passenger services,goods carrier trucks of all commercial items along the Naga inhabited areas,the UNC statement said.

The economic blockade that began on August 1 has caused hardship to the people in Manipur.

While inter-state transport has remained suspended,movement of vehicles within the state has been severely affected due to lack of petrol and diesel. Prices of essential items have shot up,while hospitals are facing shortage of oxygen cylinders and life-saving drugs.