The United Naga Council (UNC) has declared a 48-hour total bandh in Manipur starting from midnight on October 3. The bandh is in protest against the creation of seven new districts, a decision made in December 2016 by the then state government without the consent of the Naga community.
The UNC’s announcement comes after repeated appeals and rounds of tripartite talks with the Government of Manipur and the Government of India failed to address their grievances. The council demands the rollback of the newly created districts, which they claim were established arbitrarily and against existing agreements between the Naga community and the government.
Essential services, media, and emergency cases will be exempt from the bandh, which is expected to significantly disrupt normal life in the affected areas. The UNC has urged the Naga populace to cooperate fully during the protest to ensure its effectiveness.
This protest marks a continuation of long-standing tensions in Manipur over administrative decisions impacting the region’s ethnic groups. Previous demonstrations, including economic blockades and hartals, have highlighted the deep-seated discontent among the Naga community regarding the state’s administrative policies.
The UNC maintains that their opposition is rooted in the need to honor historical agreements and protect the interests of the Naga people. The bandh is a manifestation of their ongoing struggle to seek redress through peaceful means and dialogue.
