Zeliangrong bodies welcome CoO agreement
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 28 2022:
Zeliangrong CSOs, Zeliangrong Baudi-Assam, Manipur & Nagaland (ZU-AMN), All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AZSU-AMN) and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF-AMN) have expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Government of India, chief minister N Biren Singh, officials of government of Manipur and Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) for signing the landmark Cessation of Operation (CoO) agreement on Tuesday.
In a joint release, ZU-AMN president K Akhang, ZU-N advisor CR Zeliang, AZSU-AMN president D Stephen Zeme and ZYF-AMN president Lunglailung Malangmei expressed that signing of the CoO agreement is the honest beginning of taking a next step forward towards the process of resolving the Zeliangrong political issues.
CR Zeliang stated that as the lone remnant member general secretary of Zeliangrong People Convention (ZPC) who met the Prime Minister of India during the ZPC movement under the leadership of Rani Gaidmliu, he impressed upon the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and state government officials to expedite the official dialogue with the Government of India for fulfilling the political aspiration of the Zeliangrong kindred people to live under one administrative unit.
The CSOs also appreciated ZUF for keeping the movement alive and making the occasion a landmark for progress, so that the legacy that Jadoriang and Rani Gaidinliu had envisioned for a secured Zeliangrong homeland is actualised.
It is the expressed will and appeal to all the Zeliangrong people and neighbouring tribes to cooperate and extend support toward securing the long anticipated and aspirational demand of the ZPC, it further added.
Mention may be made that governments of India and Manipur represented by senior officers signed the CoO pact with ZUF in the presence of CM N Biren and chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar in New Delhi on Tuesday.
In connection with the signing of the agreement, a statement of Union Ministry of Home Affairs said that it will be a significant boost to the peace process in Manipur.
As per the agreement, the armed group will abjure violence and join the peaceful democratic process as established by law of the land while the government will make arrangement for rehabilitation and re-settlement of the armed cadres.
Moreover, a Joint Monitoring Group will also be constituted to oversee enforcement of the agreed ground rules.
The agreement was signed by ZUF chairman Jenchuilung Kamei and general secretary Aihong Riamroi while from Union government's side the deal was appended by MHA additional secretary (North East) Piyush Goyal and chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar on behalf of the state government.