Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 02:
While seeking the support and co-operation of all the people in protecting the identity of Zou tribe, the Zou People Council (ZPC), Manipur has decried the measures being made by SDC, SDO and DC Chandel to bring about changes in the chiefship of three Zou villages of Sajik Tampak area namely Khullen Khailet, Zoumunom and MT Thangjol after the said villages have been forcefully abolished at the behest of United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF).
In a statement made available to the press today, chief convenor of ZPC Nelson Zou categorically stated that if further efforts are made in this direction, then the Government of Manipur would be denounced as supporter of UKLF and ZPC and all the people living in the surrounding area of Sajik Tampak wouldstand as one against any attempt to supress Zou community.
ZPC would also make every possible efforts to save and protect the identity of Zou people and show the world that Zou people are even ready to sacrifice their lives for the cause of protecting their identity, Nelson Zou said.
The instigation of the UKLF to force Zou people to fall prey to the net being spread out to disintegrate Manipur would be also prevented by the united effort of Zou people, he added.
Expressing apprehension over possible communal flare up among the people living in Sajik Tampak area as a result of the sectarian attitude of UKLF, Nelson Zou observed that instead of trying to suppress each other, all the indigenous people should come together and help each other in the interest of peace
and development.
While alleging that at present UKLF has not only been trying to abolish the two villages of the Baite community namely Tupi Ching Village and Cheljang Village by threatening the villagers from going out to their field to work but also exhorting money from each and every villages, Nelson questioned how long the people of Sajik Tam pak area remain tolerating such diktats.
There may not be any chief left in the remote villages of Chandel district who had not been terrorised and beaten up by the armed cadres of UKLF, Nelson Zou said, adding that an outfit claiming to have been floated for the welfare of Kuki people should not work against its own people.
ZPC has also sought the support and co-operation of all in protecting identity of Zou people.