ZUF refutes 'merger' claim
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 31 2019:
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has flatly rejected the claim made by alleged defected group led by Raitu Chawang and S Kamson that the outfit has been merged with GPRN/NSCN and that the identity of ZUF would cease to exist.
A statement issued by ZUF General Secretary Jenchui Kamei conveyed that The Zeliangrong United Front was formed in 2011 with a clear vision to protect 'our people, land and natural resources'.
"To live freely and to be free from suppression and oppression is our mission.
That's how our forefathers started homeland movement and that's why it still alive", Jenchui asserted.
In pursuit of the homeland, free from external forces, many precious life have been sacrificed starting from great leaders such as late Haipou Jadonang, late Rani Gaidinliu, late Prof Gangmumei, late DP Panmei and many more Zeliangrong leaders and ZUF cadres.
The standpoint of the ZUF is integration of the Zeliangrong people to live under one administrative umbrella, which is why the ZUF submitted a memorandum to the Government of India on three occasions, it said.
The ZUF has been standing firm without compromising on any issue according to 'our correct perspectives' which are a matter of great concern for the Zeliangrong as a people irrespective of divisive elements that may prevail in the family from time to time.
ZUF will continue to strive for the larger interest of the Zeliangrong people unwavering in its stand to protect the people and promote the rights and resources of the Zeliangrong.
"We will never back down or surrender to any group and we will fight till the last drop of our blood for our people", the outfit pledged.
However, in contrary to the vision of ZUF, the alleged power hungry and traitor group led by Raitu Chawang and its gang has betrayed the Zeliangrong people time and again.
They have been playing with the sentiment of the Zeliangrong people for their own benefit.
Their declaration to merge with the GPRN/NSCN and abolish the identity of ZUF has shown their true colours very clearly that they have no vision and zeal to work for the people but they work and talk only for their comfort and cozy life by using the name of Zeliangrong, Jenchui Kamei .
"Since, they have no vision for the people, they have compromised all our forefathers' dreams of Zeliangrong statehood for their own selfish gain", decried the ZUF General Secretary.
With a great hope to lead the organization into higher level, Raitu Chawang was appointed as the Chairman of ZUF in July 2018.However, he had completely shattered the dreams of Zeliangrong community betraying his fellow cadres and merged into others group by crushing the hope of Zeliangrong people for his cheap politics.
Therefore, the emergency meeting of the Central Executive Council expelled him from the post of Chairman ZUF and organization with immediate effect from today, it declared.
The ZUF also asked a handful Zeliangrong CSO leaders who have allegedly betrayed the Zeliangrong people to step down from their respective posts immediately on moral ground.
It then appealed to all Zeliangrong people to extend fullest cooperation so that the long cherish dreams can be translated into reality.