(9^th September, 2014 in all the four Naga districts, Chandel, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Senapati, organised by NWU in collaboration with the Respective District Women Units)- Apart from the blanketed ban on vehicular traffic on National and State Highways and Construction works on National Projects called by the Naga People under the aegis of UNC. It is a bound duty for every woman to keep the momentum alive and this program is being organised by Naga Women to register our strong protest against the unabated assault on the rights of the Naga People and Tribals by the GOM with the sole motive of keeping us under perpetual suppression.

The recent rally in Ukhrul on 30th August two persons were killed, more than 34 civilians were injured, about 15 private vehicles were damaged, they were pulled down from the vehicles and beaten up, mobile phones and money were snatched away by the Manipur security forces.

After consistent demand to revoke section 144 CrPc which had been imposed in Ukhrul for almost two months, have been lifted yesterday the 8^th September 2014. We take this as a green signal to be followed for the fulfilment of our other demands.

Our land is our identity and our future. GOM has intensified their policies and actions against the traditional institutions and ancestral lands of the tribals by:

1. Establishing Village Development Committee to supersede the Village Council without the involvement or endorsement of Village Council/Village Authority and to destroy the Village Republic System of the Nagas and the Tribals.

2. There are two types of land system in Manipur- Revenue Land and Scheduled land. Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act, 1960 (MLR&LR) is not applicable in the tribal areas, in the hills. Indian Constitution provides that Tribal Land is to be protected and not allowed to sell land to non- tribal even to the co-operates, even Supreme Court has given order to this effect.

Now Manipur Government is extending the MLR and LR Acts, 1960 to the Hills through gazettes publication, passing the bills in 2012 for separate Revenue Directorate for the Hills to extend the Jurisdiction of the Revenue Tribunal Manipur to Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel, Churachandpur and Tamenglong. This is a clear move to get MLR and LR Act legitimized in order to take away the ancestral land of the tribals/indigenous peoples.

3. New Land Use Policy of Manipur (2014) is introduced in Manipur after Mizoram model, its policy is seemingly intended to improve productivity and minimize demand on land resources. In the case of Mizoram, it serves purposes since Mizoram is entirely a constituent of tribal population and land where as in Manipur it is a different situation. There is no khas land in the tribal lands, in the hills. Here, in Manipur tribal population is 41% and tribals own about 90% of the geographical land. Every village has its own distinct territorial boundary and jurisdiction. So, introduction of NLUP is another ploy to dilute the land ownership of the Tribal People.

4. 120 tribal villages of Senapati under Saikul are included under Imphal and Thoubal District Police stations to dilute the distinct district boundaries.

The Indo-Naga cease fire is between 2 entities and without any pre-condition it has entered into for creating the environment and space for an acceptable and honourable settlement. But the Chief Minister Ibobi and Deputy CM Gaikhangam said that there is no Cease Fire in Manipur and N. K. Singh, Chairman of the Cease-Fire Monitoring Group says the three words were “non-existent” and under the pretext of law and order has militarized the Naga areas. The Indo-Naga peace process is opposed with communal intent by the GOM against the Bilateral Cease Fire Agreement of the GoI and NSCN-IM signed on 14^th June, 2001 in Bangkok “without territorial limits”. A. B. Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India has clarified at Osaka, Japan that” Wherever there is fighting, there is Cease-Fire”. This statement is given with best intention to avoid unwanted circumstances. The Indo-Naga Cease-Fire should be honoured and respected and ensure for early settlement.

The democratic process of TPT of the GOI, GOM and UNC on the demand for an AA outside the GOM, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue has progressed to a logical stage with 7 rounds of talk already held. But CM Ibobi in his Independence Day 2014 speech has declared that AA is a pipe dream stating that he does not understand what AA meant. In utter disrespect of the democratic process of dialogue he condemns the very process in which his government is a party in the talk. He says that there are

- No Nagas in Manipur.

- No to Indo-Naga cease fire.

- No to political empowerment of Nagas and Tribals.

- No to protection of ancestral land of the Nagas and tribals.

- No to the constitutional rights of employment and educational opportunities of the Nagas and tribals.

Instead of listening to the voice of the people and addressing the grievances and concern of the people, the state government continues with its militarization policy of the Naga areas. We appeal to all who believe in justice and democracy to raise voice against this despicable acts aimed at keeping the Naga People and the tribals under deprivation and subjugation. This belligerent attitude of the Government of Manipur, with Government of India as a bystander is condemnable.

At stake is our rights, dignity and life and here we register our strong protest in this Sit-in-Protest today the 9^th September by the Naga Women demanding for an immediate intervention by the Prime Minister of India for:

1. Cessation of militarisation of Naga areas.

2. Expediting the Indo Naga peace process for an acceptable and honourable settlement.

3. Taking forward the tripartite talk process for alternative arrangement, pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.

4. Ensuring that the GoM does not subvert the constitutional rights and protections of the tribals and Nagas in all spheres – educational, employment, ownership of land and natural resources, development opportunities etc.