ZU to boycott Lui-Ngai-Ni
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 13 2018:
The Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), has stated that it will boycott the celebration of Lui-Ngai-Ni at Noney (Longmai common ground) due to the shameful and insulting actions of the United Naga Council and its organising committee regarding the organisation of the festival at Noney.
A press release issued by the secretary, planning and development of ZU (AMN), stated that the union strongly condemns the action of the organising committee regarding mentioning the venue address of the festival as Longmai common ground, Tamenglong district in the programme sheet.
Reasoning that calling the venue as Tamenglong district means the UNC is still demanding the State Government to roll back the declaration of Noney as a district, ZU (AMN) pointed out that the people of Noney district welcomed the State Government's decision and hundreds of memoranda were submitted to the authority during the district's inauguration for adequate infrastructure and development of the new district.
It questioned the people of Noney whether they are supporting the stance of the UNC to roll back the creation of Noney district or accepting the State Government's declaration of the district, adding that if the people support the UNC's decision, Lui Ngai Ni can be celebrated at Noney but if they support the Government's declaration, then the festival cannot be observed in the district.
Informing that the UNC declared to sever ties with the State Government during its presidential council held on May 15, 2010, and the declaration was, again, reaffirmed on May 18, last year, the union questioned how the UNC and its organising committee, is organising Lui Ngai Ni under the funding of the State Government this time, without revoking the declaration to sever ties with the State Government.
The union claimed that UNC and the organising committee is fooling the people of the district and added that the act is not only insulting to the people of the district but also to the Zeliangrong people as a whole.
Alleging that UNC is becoming a double standard organisation, ZU (AMN) further alleged that this working style is typical for UNC which often contradicts and misleads the people on many common issues due to some vested interest.
Condemning the actions of the UNC and its organising committee, the ZU (AMN) further appealed to the people to refrain from participating in the Lui Ngai Ni festival.