Apex bodies of 2 Naga tribes to boycott Lui-Ngai-Ni
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, February 09 2015:
): The apex bodies of Rongmei and Liangmai communities will boycott the forthcoming Nagas seed sowing festival Lui-Ngai-Ni 2015 .
According to a joint statement issued by Th.Pamei (President of Rongmai Naga Council) and Adabou Abonmai (Co-convenor of Interim Body, Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur), both the bodies have disassociated with the United Naga Council (UNC) and withdrawn their support from any activity of UNC.
They said UNC rejected the affiliation of both the apex bodies of Rongmei and Liangmai tribes in the fold of the former.
"The Liangmai and Rongmei tribes have been recognized as Scheduled Tribes in Manipur state by the Government of India and the same have also been endorsed by the Government of Manipur," Th Pamei and Adabou Abonmai stated.
"However, the United Naga Council (UNC) being the apex Naga body in Manipur sector had deliberately ignored the existence of Liangmai and Rongmei tribes as Nagas and refused affiliation of these two Naga communities in their fold.
A number of representations along with relevant documents were submitted to UNC with requests to allow them to become one of the constituent units of their council," they added.
"Now, pursuant to the last representation on November 20, 2014, to UNC, the Liangmai and Rongmei councils have disassociated with the UNC and withdrawn support from any activity of UNC.
No activities of UNC are allowed in Liangmai and Rongmei 'areas' till the UNC accords recognition to the said two tribes," the statement further said.
"Every civil organization and individual of Liangmai and Rongmei tribes are, therefore, instructed not to take part in the ensuing Lui-Ngai-Ni Festival 2015 organized by UNC.
Even if any individual happens to take part, he/she does not represent either Liangmai or Rongmei tribes and such persons will be taken note of his/her breach of the tribes apex body directives," the joint statement cautioned.