Stage set for Orange Festival despite boycott call
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Daniel Kamei
Tamenglong, December 15 2012:
Despite the boycott call given, hectic preparations are going on in full swing for the forthcoming 9th State Level Orange Festival 2012 scheduled to be held from December 17- 18 at Tamenglong HQs.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh; Maj Gen KK Sinha, SM GOC 57 Mtn Div; Chief Secretary DS Poonia, IAS, Janghemlung Panmei, MLA 53-Tamenglong (ST) AC, Z.Kikhonbou, MLA 52 Tamei (ST) AC and Vungzagin Valte, Parliamentary Secretary Manipur would be among other dignitaries who would attend the inaugural function of the festival.
Meanwhile, Johny Gangmei, Secretary of Info & Publicity of Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur in a press statement has appealed to all the right thinking Naga citizen, village/ward Chairmen, Secretaries of frontal organizations and NGOs to abide with the decision of United Naga Council (UNC) to boycott the Orange Festival and said that Zeliangrong Baudi is not against the spirit of festival which promotes harmony and goodwill among various tribes and communities living in Tamenglong.
But when the government of Manipur sponsored festival is used as platforms to distort and negate the Nagas issue, thus undermining the position of the Nagas, the Baudi could not remain silent.
"It is our bounden moral responsibility to abstain from participating in such programmes.
We therefore sincerely appealed to all right thinking Naga citizen village/ ward Chairmen Secretary, frontal organization and NGOs to respect the political and historical rights of the Nagas at this critical juncture.
The proven mission of Chief Minister O Ibobi, the other Ministers of government of Manipur and MLAs of the ruling Government and also the un-mandated Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) would be partaking in our own humiliation in our homes and hearths would tantamount to unbecoming of any Naga individual, group or organizations," Zeliangrong Baudi Manipur said.