We are not demanding Sixth Schedule: ANSAM

SENAPATI, JUL 13: Even as the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) 72-hour 'chakka bandh' in Naga areas in Manipur is underway, the Naga students' body clarified in Senapati today that they are 'not' demanding the Sixth Schedule as reported by some media. The ANSAM said since the Naga people have decided

to sever ties with the government of Manipur, the room for demanding the Sixth Schedule does not arise.
The Naga students' body said the ongoing three-day 'chakka bandh' in the districts of Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel is in protest against holding of elections to the District Councils in Manipur hills by the Manipur government and for labelling wanted tags on two Naga leaders. Another reason for the protest is against the continuing militarisation in the Naga areas by the state government, it said.
In view of the different views interpreted and presented by media from the statement given prior to the ongoing 72-hour chakka bandh, the ANSAM reiterated that Naga people have already rejected the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (3rd Amendment) Act 2008, and subsequently declared the ADC elections, which was conducted under this Act, 'null and void'.
Further, the Naga people under the leadership of United Naga Council (UNC) have made it loud and clear that they have severed all ties with the 'communal government of Manipur'.
Therefore, the question of the demand for the Sixth Schedule, as reported in some media, does not arise here, the students body said.
The background of tribal on 6th Schedule referred in our earlier statement as mentioned was only a reflection of how tribals in Manipur state have been repeatedly suppressed and denied of their inherent rights throughout by the successive state governments during the past many years.
As such, terming the ongoing agitation as a movement of demanding the Sixth Schedule, despite instant clarification, is viewed as an attempt to malign the image of ANSAM thereby diluting and deviate the main issue.
"Yet we would rather be steadfast in our commitment to work for alternative arrangement as desired and decided by the Naga people," the Naga students' body clarified. 
The ongoing agitation has been launched in protest against the 'ill attitude' of the State government of Manipur by issuing arrest warrant against the Naga leaders with wanted tags on their heads in response to their role of defending and securing the rights of the people, said the ANSAM. 
"The current protest is also in protest against the continued militarization of Naga areas in the guise of maintaining law and order, which otherwise are quite peaceful and secured," it added.
The ANSAM also said imposition of District Council elections and attempt to make District Councils functional in Naga areas against the interest of Naga people have prompted the Naga students to impose the three-day 'chakka bandh' in Naga areas.   While appreciating the understanding and co-operation extended by the public during the last 24 hours, the ANSAM once again appealed to all concerned to restrain from travelling in vehicles during the chaka bandh period, failing which they said they will not be responsible for any untoward incident. (Newmai News Network)