ZUF reaffirms demand for Zeliangrong state
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Agencies
Imphal, March 12 2015:
Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has reaffirmed on its 4th�Raising Day on February 25 last that the movement being taken up is to rededicate toward achieving the dream of the Zeliangrong people.
The Front in a release reiterated that it sought strive for the creation of Zeliangrong State within the 'Union of India' .
ZUF said Haipou Jadonang stood up against the exploitative regime of the British colonial power with the aim to establish 'Makaam Gwangdi' or Zeliangrong kingdom.
�Despite series of suppressive measures aimed to contain the Zeliangrong uprising, the Zeliangrong people reorganized themselves including arm wing.
As a result the British tried to marginalize the Zeliangrongs by placing them under different administrative units.
Later after independent of India, the Zeliangrong were further divided into three different states of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, and even into different districts which further marginalized them economically, politically and socially, said ZUF in a press release.�
Considering the various predicaments and hurdles faced by Zeliangrong people, the Zeliangrong People's Convention (ZPC) was formed in 1980s under the leadership of Rani Gaidinliu and launched people's movement for Zeliangrong homeland.
ZPC consequently submitted various memoranda to the successive governments starting from the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narashimha Rao.
ZUF pointed out that positive assurances were given to the ZPC leaders.
However, the demand for statehood has not been granted so far.
Therefore, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) was formed on�February 25, 2011 to continue the struggle for Zeliangrong State/homeland which was left unfulfilled by past leaders.
The Front appealed to the Government of India to grant the genuine demand of the Zeliangrong people at the earliest.
ZUF also seeks fullest cooperation from various neighbouring ethnic groups of Northeast India towards fulfilment of the long pending demand of Zeliangrong people for statehood.
The Front also appealed all the Zeliangrong people, civil society, social organizations, churches and institutions of indigenous faith and individuals to cooperate with the movement.