ZCOs meets Dr Najma, discusses Govt proposal to construct Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 19 2019: A 10 member delegation of Zeliangrong Civil Organizations namely Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Student's Union, led by Zeliangrong Baudi president Athuan Abonmai, met Governor Dr Najma Heptulla at Raj Bhavan yesterday and discussed the proposal of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI to construct 'Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum' with special reference to Rani Gaidinliu.

A press release issued by media and publicity cell, Zeliangrong Civil Organisations maintained that the memorandum mentioned about the shifting/relocating of the proposed site for the museum from Makhel village, where the foundation stone was already laid by Minister, TA&H N Kaisii.

ZCOs meets Dr Najma, discusses Govt proposal to construct Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum

The location of the museum is not feasible when it comes to transportation and communication, the delegations remarked while adding that the site is situated more than 8 km away from the National Highway and along a small agricultural road, where not a single family is settled.

The Governor, after hearing the delegation, assured to look into the matter and take up necessary steps with the State Government.

In the memorandum submitted today, the ZCOs said that it is a matter of great insult shown by the Department of TA&H to the sincere initiative and proposal of the GoI to construct a 'Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum' with special reference to Rani Gaidinliu (veteran freedom fighter of India).

It also mentioned that the Zeliangrongs are happy with the announcement of the proposal and appreciates the PM's concern for recognising the remarkable contribution of Rani Gaidinliu.

Leaders of the ZCOs had approached the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI and met Jual Oram, when he was the Minister of Tribal Affairs, and submitted a memorandum on September 27 requesting him to take up the project anywhere in Zeliangrong areas so as to materialize the project, for which he had assured to do the needful.

It also mentioned that the leaders of the ZCOs also met the CM N Biren to discuss the said matter and submitted a reminder to the memorandum to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI, urging him to take up the matter and to materialize the project and fulfil the objective of the Central Govt.The leaders of the ZCOs also conveyed to him regarding the availability of land at two suitable and feasible locations namely Namching (Maha Kabui) village and Chinikon village, which are located 12 km and 25 km away from the Imphal respectively.

The objective of the Central Govt is to construct the museum with special reference to Rani Gaidinliu to commemorate her contributions toward India's Freedom movement, it said.

However, the Department of Tribal Affairs and Hills, GoM is planning to turn such a remarkable project into a "Farm House", it alleged.

As such, the location is not feasible at all, it added.

It urged the Governor to intervene and demanded the proposed site of the museum to be shifted/relocated at the two sites/locations which were already identified by the ZCOs or at any location in Zeliangrong areas.

The ZCOs then warned to resort to different forms of democratic protests if their demand is not met at the earliest.