ZUF demands Solution for Zeliangrong people
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03 2018: Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has expressed concern regarding the future of Zeliangrong people in face of the ongoing process of the Indo-Naga peace talk.

A press release issued by the information and publicity secretary of ZUF, H Kamson stated that the front is apprehensive that the Zeliangrong people scattered in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland may be left out from the said States when the final solution of the protracted Naga issues arrives.

It mentioned that during the time of the British empire, Zeliangrong people scattered in the three States (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) due to the British's divide and rule policy.

The same policy may be applied again by the Central Government and on the other hand, NSCN (IM) might betray the Zeliangrong people by accepting the divide and rule policy of the Central Government unconditionally, ZUF claimed.

It stated that the Zeliangrong people had shed blood in-the past for the Naga movement and now, when the time for a solution draws close, it urged for the Zeliangrong people from the three States not to be left out.

Further, ZUF strongly urged the Central Government to take up necessary steps to solve the political problem of Zeliangrong people at the earliest before making any kind of settlement with other issues.

The Central Government in the name of honouring the late freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu and Haipou Jadonang has done some remarkable steps like embossing Rani Gaidinliu's photo on postal stamps, naming the vessels of Coast Guard, constructing guest houses or park, erecting statues, library cum museum or releasing development fund etc for different Indian States but has failed to address the political problem of the Zeliangrong people.

Alleging that there has been no tangible steps till date to address the political problem of Zeliangrong people, ZUF claimed that the Central Government's failure is an insult to late freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu and Haipou Jadonang.

The political dream and aspiration of late freedom fighters to bring the contiguous areas of Zeliangrong people under one administrative roof were first shattered by the British and later by the Central Government after India attained independence, it claimed and added that the sacrifices and contribution of the late freedom fighters have been neglected by the Government till date despite the fact that the freedom and independence enjoyed by India today is because of the supreme sacrifice and contribution.

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