Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum RNYO sets 15 days time to Govt to right things
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2020: The Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation today gave the Government 15 days time to "restore" the name of the tribal freedom fighters' museum as "Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum" and shift its location to Tamenglong or Noney, the native districts of the freedom fighter.

Asserting that the State Government had laid the foundation stone on September 13, 2019 for constructing "Tribal Freedom Museum" at Makhel in Senapati district by "deleting" the name of "Rani Gaidinliu", the RNYO in a statement said that the Government has not only done "injustice" to Rani Gaidinliu but has also "hijacked" the dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary Celebration in New Delhi on August 24, 2015 and later in 2016 during the Independence Day speech, he had announced plan for installation of tribal freedom fighters' museums to give recognition to the sacrifices and contributions to country's freedom by the tribal people.

Later, a National Level Committee (NLC) under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs was constituted to apprise and approve the proposals of various States.

The NLC in its meeting on July 30, 2018 had directed the Manipur Government "to focus on the women freedom fighter character whose contribution is widely recognised cutting across States." Thereafter, the NLC in its meeting on September 5, 2018 had again directed the State Government that "the project in Manipur shall highlight the contribution of Rani Gaidinliu and other women freedom fighters" .

Later, the NLC on February 12, 2019 categorically recorded that the Government of Manipur has made a presentation on "Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum" and shared the project status which clearly mentioned that "the museum will be named after the woman freedom fighter, Rani Gaidinliu", claimed RNYO adding the NLC had approved the proposal of the State Government extending financial support to the tune of Rs 15 crore by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.

However, the State Government "deleted" the name of Rani Gaidinliu and laid the foundation stone for constructing "Tribal Freedom Museum" at Makhel in Senapati district on September 13, 2019 .

Meanwhile, the NLC in its meeting held on February 18, 2020 had directed the State Government to review the Makhel site.

The NLC had laid down parameters for construction of the museum and prescribed basic facilities such as regular power supply, police station, fire brigade, ATM, market, restaurant, Public Health Centre to be available at the site.

However, the Makhel site is situated in a remote paddy area and is about 120 kilometres from Imphal when one of the guidelines is that the museum should be close to the State capital.

The museum should be named after Rani Gaidinliu and its location should be shifted to her native place in Noney or Tamenglong where there are all the requisite facilities, RNYO said.

If the Government doesn't act positively within 15 days to the demands, the Rongmei people will consider it as an insult and humiliation to Rani Gaidinliu.

The aggrieved people, RNYO and RNSO (Rongmei Naga Students Organisation) will have no other choice but to launch intensive mass agitation and also file a case in the Court of law based on the NLC directives, said RNYO.

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