Rejoinder to K Poushinglung's article 'History of Zeliangrong Union'

Titus Kamei *

Rejoinder to article by K. Poushinglung Executive Secretary, Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland)

The article wrote by Zeliangrong Union Executive Secretary Mr. K. Poushinglung which was published in Hueiyen Lanpao (English) dated 6th November, 2015 clearly clarified regarding the transformation and renaming of Zeliangrong Organizations from time to time as "Kabui Chingshang in 1927" to different names and nomenclatures till "Zeliangrong Union emerged in 1996 which functioned undisputed till 2006" and problem started cropping up among the Executive of Zeliangrong Union from 1997 onwards for general information thereby the Zeliangrong Union was placed under "Suspension of Functioning (Cease Work)" by the Zeliangrong General Public Convention (ZGPC) held on 30/10/2009 at Tamenglong District HQ, therefore, no need for further elaboration regarding the changing of names and nomenclatures of Zeliangrong Organizations from time to time.

It is noteworthy to mention that one suspended from any position or post has to be revoked first by the authority concern that issued Suspension Order against the person if at all to resume activities and make known to all people by the concern authority that the suspension is revoked and declared in public domain is the normal procedure, precedented practice and legally accepted rule. However, in the case of Zeliangrong Union (ZU) which has been placed under suspension (Cease Work) and did not revoke till date by the concern authority (i.e. the Zeliangrong General Public Convention) but started claiming to be apex body of Zeliangrong people is nothing but self proclamation, lack logic, distortion of history with intention to deceive the people.

The fact cannot be hidden as such the Zeliangrong Union Executive Secretary K. Poushinglung clearly mentioned in his article which is self explanatory. But his assertion and the claimed of the Zeliangrong Union that the stipulated time of three months (1st Nov. 2009 to 31st Jan. 2010) given to Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB) to bring together the divided groups of ZU and ZB into one single body failed to fructify as such the Zeliangrong Union re-activated and resumed its normal functions as before is totally wrong and does not hold any point for debate.

Whereas on the expiry of the stipulated time period of three months given to Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB 1st Nov. 2009 to 31st Jan. 2010) led by Mr. G. Gaingam former President, Zeliangrong Union (ZU) who was appointed as the Convenor of ZIB by ZGPC held at Tamenglong District HQ, another Zeliangrong General Public Convention (ZGPC) is required as such the people Convention was convened on 26th February, 2010 at Dimapur. The Dimapur Convention appointed Mr. G. Ningthaodai former AZSU President to succeed Mr. G. Gaingam former President, ZU and declared to function until regular house of Apex body of the Zeliangrong people is constituted with the mandate of the people.

Another Zeliangrong General Public Convention was held on 30/07/2010 to decide the nomenclature of Zeliangrong Apex Body at Peren District HQ, Nagaland in which Zeliangrong Union former President D. Dikambui (now expired) had declared that the Zeliangrong Baudi shall be the Apex Body of Zeliangrong people. The Zeliangrong General Public Convention (ZGPC) did not revoke the Suspension nor approve the Zeliangrong Union for resumption or re-activation of its activities till date. However, the Zeliangrong Union have started the self claimed of re-activation, resumption of activities and functioning without the people mandate, mass involvement and mass participation thereby now led to areas confinement of functioning and its activities.

The functionary of the Zeliangrong Union terming the Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB) which was formed by the Zeliangrong General Public Convention as "self styled" and "fake" is unfortunate and extremely wrong since the ZIB was constituted and empowered by the Zeliangrong people to devise a mechanism to bring together the divided house into one body. The assertion itself show complete condemnation to people voice, contempt to aspiration and interest which is never deserve and qualify to be a leader of society.

Such a situation being created by the Zeliangrong Union and Zeliangrong Baudi, the people are facing untold misery thereby the situation has compelled the Zeliangrong Youth Front to play facilitating role to bridge the gap of misunderstanding emerged between the leaders of the two bodies considering the interest of the Zeliangrong people hence conducted the "Public Opinion Poll". The decision to conduct the "Public Opinion Poll" was taken during the Zeliangrong Youth Front Executive Meeting held on 6th March, 2015 at New Katang village, Tousem Sub-Division regarding the existent of two bodies.

The Zeliangrong people without any form of preconception or favouritism have expressed their opinion regarding the existent of two bodies through the "Public Opinion Poll" of which result had been declared on 29th October, 2015 at AGAPE Hall, Tamenglong District HQ in the presence of the Elders, Religious leaders, prominent Scholars, Women's leaders, Village Chiefs, Youth leaders, Student's leaders etc.

The decision given by the people through the "Public Opinion Poll" to have one Apex Body 100 % in favour include all the elected people representatives of Zeliangrong people such as Minister, MLAs, MDCs, Elders, Social leaders, Organization's leaders, Religious leaders, Women's leaders, Village Chiefs, Bureaucrats, Scholars and Intellectuals, Govt. Officers and employees, Youth leaders, Student's leaders, village clubs, concern individuals etc therefore any platform claiming to have representing the people interest has to work in accordance with the aspiration of the people.

There is no other way where the leaders of Zeliangrong people can go and serve their people without the people's participation and involvement. Sensing the pulse and interest of the people, let the people verdict given through the "Public Opinion Poll" and declared on 29th October, 2015 be the bridge to connect the gap between the leaders of both groups so that every responsible people of our community with deepest concern contribute towards the cause of society building and strengthening of our community.

It is natural to see that some misunderstanding is cropped up but it is also true that every misunderstanding has to be dissolved, every conflict resolved and even World Wars were ended. The little misunderstanding that have been cropped up between the leaders of both groups are the consequences of leaders of the Zeliangrong community extreme concern, commitment and deep interest to serve their people at their best level and capacity for the benefit of the people.

Let us considered ourselves that whatever happened is happened for good but letting it continue to happen always would only amounts to undermining the people interest and demeaning the existence of the people which will only result to befall of people's wrath since the people is the ultimate authority to decide any issue wherein the leaders are mere actors to play, enforce and implement as per the wishes and desires of the people.

It is really disheartening for Zeliangrong people to see some leaders who claimed to have rendering services for the welfare of people are trying to mislead the people in order to suit their personal interest is what the people reverberated during the discussion cum declaration of "Public Opinion Poll" result at AGAPE Hall, Tamenglong District HQ on 29th October, 2015. The people present also noted that personal differences that had cropped up between the leaders of Zeliangrong Union between 2006-2009 was the basic foundation that caused the present social impediments of Zeliangrong community.

There would have been no misunderstanding among the leaders of Zeliangrong Union had the few functionaries of Zeliangrong Union maintained patience, tolerance, maturity, sensibility with responsibility considering the people interest but predominant personal interest to community interest had resulted to groupism that have now led to stagnation of social progress which is not at all fair on the part of the so called leaders but complete deception to the wishes and expectation of the people.

Craftsmanship ability is one of the prerequisite to manage a big family like Zeliangrong where its people are scattered in different States, location and direction hence inexperience knowledge of management conceived with personal interest, area confined mindset and activities, narrow mental horizon have tremendously caused negative impact to the smooth social progress is what the people present during the declaration of result of "Public Opinion Poll" observed. The discussion also endorsed the Zeliangrong Youth Front to carry forward and continue the process for achieving the goal of bringing together the two bodies into one at the earliest.

The Zeliangrong Union misusing the people "platform" had frequently issued irresponsible statements and utterances in public domain which are not at all "deserves" to have claimed as the "Organization/Union" working for the welfare of the people. The people have given enough opportunity and chances to patch up among themselves and sink their differences and work for the people interest in unison however, their shortcoming had kept the people for quite long time to suffer as such "Public Opinion Poll" is the ultimate option hence it was conducted.

It is bounden duty of the leaders of the Zeliangrong Union like any other Zeliangrong leaders of Zeliangrong community to honour the result of the "Public Opinion Poll" and respect the people desires and wishes and give full cooperation towards coming together as one body at the earliest, therefore, it is appealed to all responsible individuals to cooperate in the interest of the Zeliangrong people.

(Titus Kamei is presently working as the President of Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland).