No question of lifting blockade : UNC

Our Correspondent
SENAPATI, Jul 14: Showing its concern for Nagas living in Manipur, Nagaland Tribe Hoho Co-ordination Committee held a joint meeting with the United Naga Council (UNC) at SM Sha Complex, Senapati on Tuesday wherein UNC asserted that lifting the current economic blockade will not be possible until and unless their demands are met.
The demands were placed before the Chief Minister during a meeting held on July 8 at Senapati. The demands include the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki militant groups; the arrest of all those involved in the abduction and murder of the six Naga civilians; the arrest of the chief of Leilon Vaiphei village; and the removal of Nemcha Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister.
Detailing what led to the economic blockade, UNC president Ng Lorho recalled that on May 13, three Kuki Church leaders were killed between Kotlen and Kotzin.
As the news spread, 18 Naga civilians were abducted at Leilon Vaiphei village, prompting the Senapati youth volunteers to detain some Kukis in Senapati.
On June 6, the Nagas under the leadership of UNC decided to release all detainees while , the Kukis in their statement mentioned that the six Naga hostages were not in their custody and termed them as missing hostages.
The Nagas took the first move to release the Kukis, considering all the appeals and requests put up to them.
On June 9, all 14 Kukis detainees were released safe and sound but the six Naga hostages were found bludgeoned to death on June 10.
To this, the UNC put up four demands for justice, stating until and unless the demands are made the dead bodies will not be claimed.
Even as the Chief Minister and the Governor of Manipur requested to lift the economic blockade, the UNC made it clear that it will not be possible unless the demands are met.  
Leaders of Tangkhul Naga Long, Joint Tribes Council, Naga People’s Organisation and Chandel Naga People’s Organisation gave detailed accounts of how the Kuki-Naga conflict started and escalated.
Thejao Vihienuo, Convenor, Nagaland Tribe Hoho Coordination Committee stated that Nagaland Nagas are also aware of the situation in Manipur.
He said the main purpose of their coming together was to show their solidarity, to express the oneness of Nagas and termed the situation that is confronting as a “wakeup call for all.”
The convenor also mentioned that the Kukis placed themselves to the Indian Prime Minister that they will fight the Nagas on behalf of the Indians, stating the Kukis are prepared to give their lives for the honour of India.
Kukis’ submission to the Government of India is not a hearsay or rumour but based on documents which are available in Government arcade.
He showed the gathering the true copy of the document found in the State arcade in Kohima and a copy of it was also handed over to the UNC president.
Comparing what is happening at present, Thejao Vihienuo asserted that all the developments stemmed from the representation which was submitted to the  Prime Minister of India during 1956.
The convenor stated that the situation might not end soon and added “We know who is fighting who.”
At the end, UNC president Ng Lorho suggested having a common Naga platform in order to address the grievances of the people.