A brief account of Zeliangrong movement (1920s-2015)
- Part 4 -

S Kamson *

Day 4 : Zemei and Rongmei Cultural Dance as part of Manipur Sangai Festival at BOAT :: November 24 2015 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

In 1991, the Congress Government came to power again where P.V. Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister of the country. The Manipur Government under R.K. Jaichandra Singh vehemently opposed the ZPC demand and his Minister, Shri Gaikhangam Gangmei and Meijinlung Kamson, Member of Parliament also joined the anti-ZPC demand chorus despite being the members of ZPC Working Committee. Besides that, the Kuki-Naga ethnic conflict in 1992 gave another blow to the ZPC's demand for a separate State/Homeland. Due to ethnic based turmoil among the tribal people especially Nagas and Kukis the situation was not conducive to move around to organize meeting or other programmes. Moreover, the greatest setback for the ZPC was the deterioration of Rani Gaidinliu's health.

After prolong illness she passed away on 17th February, 1993 at Longkao and her grand funeral was organized on 23rd February attended by high profile dignitaries including the Governor of Manipur, Shri Chintamani Panigrahi, the Home Secretary of Nagaland, Shri V. Sakhrie, ZPC leaders, elders, student leaders, youths and large followers of Heraka from different places. The Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao also sent his condolence message.

Soon, after the demise of Rani Gaidinliu on 28th May, 1993 the 7th Conference of ZPC was held at Peren, Nagaland to continue the demand for Zeliangrong State/Homeland. Prof Gangmumei Kamei,the acting President was then unanimously elected as full-fledged ZPC President along with new executive members for the tenure of 1993-1996. The Peren Convention resolved to intensify the movement (Resolution No. 1) and authorized the ZPC Youth Front to take up any measures and launch the movement for the achievement of Zeliangrong Homeland (Resolution No. 4). Meanwhile, in the mid 1993 the new President Prof Gangmumei Kamei suddenly resigned from his post due to the pressure of Naga national workers. (To be contd)

After his resignation no one was given in-charge to carry forward the ZPC movement and since then, the movement was kept in abeyance. No Conference or Convention was ever organized again by ZPC after the Peren Convention of 1993 and it may be made very clear that no official decision/resolution was ever taken at any point of time to suspend the ZPC movement for Zeliangrong Homeland.

By early 1990s with the start of ethnic Kuki-Naga conflict the ZPC movement declined and the Naga struggle for independence became strong again in Zeliangrong areas. This time also Zeliangrong people fully participated for the common cause of the Nagas. However, while fighting for the cause of Nagas, Zeliangrong land and resources have been facing threats at Ntangki in Nagaland,Sadar Hills and Tousem Areas in Manipur.

To our great shock a large chunk of Zeliangrong land in N.C. Hills (Assam) was bartered away to appease the Dimasas. Many Zeliangrongs were killed and their properties destroyed by the Dimasas in N.C. Hills and there was no one to defend them. Sensing such more threats from the external forces many youths from Zeliangrong and kindred tribes volunteered themselves to give their best to safeguard the land, resources and the people.

Formation of Zeliangrong United Front

Considering the situations at hand and taking cognizance of all the challenges and promises as mentioned in the aforesaid paragraphs, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) was formed on 25thFebruary, 2011 with the aim of fulfilling the cherished dreams of the Zeliangrong people and other kindred tribes. Even though the last ZPC Conference held at Peren in 1993 had authorized the youth to take up any measures for achieving the Zeliangrong Homeland, the ZUF was formed only after almost 2 decades.

Since its inception the Front has committed itself to work for the betterment of the Zeliangrongs and other kindred tribes. The Front has its Civil and Armed Wings. The Chairman is the overall head of the organization whereas different departments are functioning under various Secretaries. The Armed Wing known as Zeliangrong Tiger Force (ZTF) is put under the control of Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C).

The ZUF functions in a systematic and well set up hierarchy or organs such as (a) Dimki (Parliament), (b) Central Core Council (CCC), (c) Central Executive Council (CEC), (d) Security Affairs Council (SAC), (e) Tingku Peiki (Court of Justice), (f) ZUF Service Commission (ZUFSC), (g) Regional Executive Committee (REC), (h) Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) etc.

The ultimate aim of ZUF is to revive the ZPC's demand for a separate Zeliangrong State within the Indian Union which was earlier led by Rani Gaidinliu. The Front openly declared the core agendas during the 4th Raising Day on 25th February, 2015 and subsequently submitted a Memorandum to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi for granting Zeliangrong State at the earliest.

Some of the important objectives of ZUF are given below:

(a) To safeguard and protect the Zeliangrong people, land and resources and other kindred tribes living in Zeliangrong areas.

(b) To strive for attainment of Zeliangrong State for the contiguous Zeliangrong inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and to establish it as a homeland for the Zeliangrong people and other kindred tribes.

(c) To uplift and strive for Zeliangrong common identity, socio-economic development, education and scientific temperament.

The existence of ZUF was misunderstood by some other Naga insurgent groups fearing that it may derail the greater cause of the Nagas and threaten their presence in Zeliangrong areas. Such preconceived notion motivated them to neutralize the ZUF and thus unnecessary conflict occurred between NSCN-IM and ZUF in the Zeliangrong areas causing precious lives from both sides. The ZUF has no agenda whatsoever to confront the NSCN-IM or to give any obstacle to their cause.

Therefore, there is no reason at all for the NSCN-IM to attack their own Naga brothers. The aim of ZUF has been to preserve Zeliangrong land, resources and people where the NSCN-IM has failed to safeguard the interests of the Zeliangrong people. No force can stop the Zeliangrongs' aspiration for common homeland by integrating the fragmented areas and this should be recognized by all concerned.

Mention may be made that it is well within the right of the Zeliangrong people to decide their future course of action. The fate and destiny of the Zeliangrong people have to be shaped and defined by the Zeliangrong people themselves. The Zeliangrong people must be fully prepared to face any kind of challenges in the days to come.

Awards Given to Rani Gaidinliu

The year, 2015 is the Birth Centenary year of Rani Gaidinliu, the veteran freedom fighter, an awardee of Tamra Patra(1972),Padma Bhushan(1981),Vivekananda Seva Award (1983), Birsa Munda Award(1996) etc. Besides the above awards, a postal stamp(1996) was issued in honour of Rani Gaidinliu, Shree Shakti Puraskar Award(1999) instituted in her honour along with other great women of India.Rani Gaidinliu Bhavan (2000) has also been constructed in Mumbai and the Indian Coast Guard launched a vessel named Rani Gaidinliu (2010).

Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi released Rs. 100/- and Rs. 5/- coins (2015) to commemorate the 100-year Birth Anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu. However, the best gift to honour Rani Gaidinliu on her Birth Centenary would be to fulfill her long cherished dream of Zeliangrong Statehood/Homeland for which she worked till her last breath. Rani Gaidinliu, like Gandhiji did not seek her personal comfort and glory and that her soul will not rest in peace till the Zeliangrong people are accorded a 'self-rule' as a separate state under the Union of India.

Conclusion

The incomplete task left behind by Rani Gaidinliu and ZPC leaders is now being carried forward by ZUF to fulfil the wishes of the Zeliangrong people. In this journey of hope to bring development, change and justice to our people, collective sacrifice and sense of responsibility is the need of the hour. Therefore, in order to uplift ourselves, protect our rights, lives, liberty, land and resources, the ZUF with full conviction will fight for re-integration of our ancestral lands and people into one political unit i.e. Zeliangrong State. In this regard, the ZUF submits the following for kind consideration of all concerned:

(i) We appeal to the Government of India to set up State Re-Organization Commission at the earliest to address the political aspirations of the aggrieved people all over the country including the Zeliangrong people. We re-iterate that Zeliangrong people fulfil all the requisite criteria for having a state-adequate population, geographical contiguity, economic and administrative viability, peoples' aspirations and linguistic affinity among others.

(ii) We appeal to all fellow Nagas and other ethnic communities in North East to cooperate with the Zeliangrong people to facilitate in realizing the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrong people. It is firmly believed that the creation of Zeliangrong State will also benefit other communities in the region as this will bring about social and political equilibrium in the region.

(iii) We also appeal to the Zeliangrong people to extend their fullest cooperation in the course of the struggle to realize the long cherished dream of living under one single State free from all forms of exploitations and subjugations.

(iv) We also sincerely appeal to the national and regional political parties, media, intellectuals, social workers, people of North East India and all people who have concerns for the welfare and development of marginalized ethnic communities to extend their cooperation to the democratic and rightful political aspirations of the Zeliangrong people.

Today, the ZUF solemnly commit ourselves to the Zeliangrong people that we will continue to fight until justice is attained. It is sincerely hoped that the Government of India will consider the genuine demand of the Zeliangrong people and grant a separate State at the earliest.

Concluded ...