ZUF spells out goal and agenda
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 14 2023:
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) wasn't established to demand sovereignty for Zeliangrong region but with a broad objective to take the community to greater heights, said the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Publicity of the outfit.
Speaking to a group of media persons in an undisclosed location at Nagaland, Nguiba continued that the primary objective of ZUF which was formed nearly 11 years back under the leadership of Kamson is to protect the flora and fauna, land and resources of Zeliangrong people.
To protect the art and culture of the community and to keep all the Zelingrong residing in different places under a single administrative unit are also the principles of the outfit, Nguiba said.
To a query, he said that the outfit took up arms out of necessity and not to harass the civilians.
People make mistakes, he said and appealed to the people to forgive them for their wrongdoings, if any, in the past.
"ZUF is with the people and for the people we have taken up some strong actions in the past.
We apologise for the acts," he said.
" The outfit has complete faith in the ideology of Ranima (Rani Gaidinliu) and 'we have been working to carry on her legacy and uplift the living standard of Zeliangrong people and bring it at par with other communities and bring about an egalitarian society," Nguiba added.
Further stating the armed movement of ZUF is not against any community, the rebel leader maintained that ZUF will continue to work to build cordial relationships among the natives of the land.
The front formed under the leadership of Kamson is for the people and "we haven't signed any agreement with the Government nor is there a question of giving up arms," Nguiba responded to a query.
Saying that they will consult with the people if a question of political settlement arises, Nguiba maintained that the front will never indulge in activities which are against the interest of the people.
To another query, he responded, without taking any name, that any group which signed an agreement with the Government must conform to the guidelines of the agreement as a responsible signatory.
"We heard that some groups which entered into a pact with the Government to cease operation have been demanding ransoms, kidnapping and intimidating civilians by violating the guidelines of the agreement and such conduct is totally wrong," he added.