Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) condemns the arrest of Gaidon Kamei, president of the United Naga Council (UNC) and Stephen Lamkang, the information secretary (UNC) at Pheidinga area of Imphal west district by the Manipur police on November 25 on the pretext of spearheading economic blockade against the state’s plan for creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts by carving out Naga areas for which the consent of the Nagas was crucial and a necessity. A condemnation note by NSA president, Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan and secretary, Dr. Gideon Shadang stated that the undemocratic manoeuvre of the government of Manipur to create new districts was a retraction of the several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the apex Naga civil society groups. NSA pointed out that this incident is seen as a ploy for usurping the lands of the Nagas and sowing the seed for communalism in the state.
NSA therefore highly condemn the unlawful arrest and demand the state of Manipur for immediate and unconditional release of Gaidon Kamei and Stephen Lamkang and also urge the government of India for intervention for the urgent release of the Naga leaders.
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