UNC shares thoughts to CM
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Senapati, July 12 2021: Reacting to the recent "every land in the State belongs to the Government" statement of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the UNC said that though it appreciates the step taken up by the Government on the occasion of the 72nd Van Mahotsav celebrations it is constrained to remind the Chief Minister to be more cautious and be realistic in his approach and not follow his past predecessors.

The Naga body said that the comment of the Chief Minister "does not merit the occasion" and has no basis with the facts but it can be ill-informed to the present and future generations.

"We all must frankly admit that, what belongs to the Meiteis is Meiteis' and what belongs to the Nagas is Nagas' as these two indigenous communities have co-existed as immediate neighbours from time immemorial and together landed under British India and forcibly Manipur came into being with the formation of Independent India and Burma in 1948," the UNC said.

The Naga body added that, "for which fall out we all have our own movements and struggles for self - determination till date" .

According to the UNC, it is the people who come first and not the State.

The State "does not own land" until it first owns its people.

"Therefore, the State Government must be mindful of what they are doing with any new developments and any new creations," it added.

With regard to Mount Koubru imbroglio, the UNC said it is equally concerned on its protection and preservation for environmental and ecological balance.

It will be good if none becomes over-obsessive on the ownership of the area since it has its own history, said UNC and added that the more "they assert their rights of ownership over the area the more they contradict their roots" .

The UNC also said that "no amount of historical rhetoric and distortion is ever going to be a solution" .

The UNC added, "Be what they are, the Nagas and the Meiteis will never be a problem" .

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