Rongmei bodies reiterate demands on tribal mnseum
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 22 2020: The ambitious project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set up "Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum" in the State is being derailed due to "petty politics" resorted to by few vested politicians and bureaucrats by manipulating the National Level Committee (Central Government) guidelines and directions, asserted several organisations including the Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation today.

The organisations, Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation (RNYO), Assam, Manipur and Nagaland; Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation, Manipur; Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation (AMN) and Nungnang Circle Youth Organisation, in a joint statement reiterated that the Government should restore the name of the museum to "Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum" and take appropriate decision to construct the museum at Tamenglong or Noney district at the earliest.

The Rongmei civil organisations will launch democratic mass movement if the Government fails to accede to the demand.

The name and location of the proposed museum as demanded are non-negotiable.

they said.

The selection of Makhel in Senapati district as the site was the first mistake since the place and its people were not related to the Rani Gaidinliu movement, even remotely.

The second mistake is the attempt to remove the prefix "Rani Gaidinliu", from the name of the museum when the Central Government had dedicated the museum in memory of her sacrifices and contributions in the freedom struggle.

Thirdly, the Government of Manipur is not able to take appropriate decisions when the objective and the purpose of the museum are crystal clear-that it is dedicated to Rani Gaidinliu and the same was reflected in the minutes of the meetings of the National Level Committee (NLC), the organisations said.

The Rongmeis and thousands of followers across the country and abroad revere, respect and worship Rani Gaidinliu.

The way the State Government is handling the ambitious project dedicated to Rani Gaidinliu is more insulting than honouring the legend.

The State Government should have handled the project with due diligence and sensitivity while dealing with such a prominent freedom fighter who resisted the British to free her people and was incarcerated for 15 years in various jails in India at the age of 16.The RNYO, AMN, had submitted a memorandum on September 22 last to the Chief Minister and a meeting was also held on November 9 at the office chamber of Tribal Affairs Minister, but failed to reach an agreement.

However, even after a formal written request was submitted on Dec 2 for talk, the organisations have not received an invitation for the second round of talk, they said.

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