Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, February 03 2009:
Expressing concerned over the reports published in local papers on Monday, that Zeliangrong Union and the Zeliangrong public have decided to shift the venue of the forthcoming Lui-Ngai-Ni (Naga seed sowing festival) from the Tamenglong district headquarters to some other place, the Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM), informed that the festival will be held at the Tamenglong district headquarters on February 15 as scheduled.
The ZSUM vice chairman K Philip deplored the "unqualified and irresponsible" press statement of some self styled leaders in the name of Zeliangrong Union (ZU) against the holding of the festival in the district headquarters.
The chairman of the students body also called upon the people of the Zeliangrong community not to support such "separatists" who were trying to tarnish the image of the Zeliangrong profile and dignity.
Informing that the venue of the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, to be held at the Tamenglong district headquarters, had been announced when the festival was last held in Chandel district with no objection, the ZSUM also questioned why it was being objected now and not then.
The students body also further questioned if it was the ill will of some disgruntled few who tended to sabotage the unique feature of the Naga festival.
ZSUM also alleged that it was also wrong on the part of the president of Zeliangrong Baudi, Ningtangpou to keep all the facts about the ensuing festival to himself without informing his colleagues, frontal organisations like the All Zeliangrong Students Union (AZSU), ZSUM, ZWO and Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF) besides the ex-presidents and secretaries.
ZSUM also asserted that it was upto the UNC whether to shift the venue elsewhere to avoid any embarrassing eventuality that may occur like before.