The Hindu : National : Naga tribal council plans blockade

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 13, 2004

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National

Naga tribal council plans blockade

By Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL, NOV. 12. The United Naga Council, an organisation of the Naga tribals in Manipur, has called a 24-hour economic blockade in Manipur from the morning of November 17. This is in protest against the rejection of the 2001 census report by the Manipur Government.

Talking to The Hindu, the Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi, said that armed escorts would be provided to trucks and other vehicles bringing essential commodities to Manipur through the two national highways. He said the 2001 census report could not be accepted because it showed an "abnormal increase" in the population of the Naga tribals in Naga-inhabited areas.

Since the "abnormal increase" was not acceptable under the Central guidelines, the Cabinet took a decision to keep the report in abeyance. Election officials had gone to these Naga villages after a proper notification for a physical verification of the people said to be residing there. However, in all instances the villages were deserted. The UNC said that if the Government did not implement the census report after the expiry of the economic blockade, there would be further agitations.

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