ZUCMV, RNPO warn against misleading Rongmei-Kabui people
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 16 2024: Strongly reacting to the claims made by some individuals/ organisations that Kabui and Rongmei are not the same and not part of the Naga community, the Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur Valley (ZUCMV) has cautioned all concerned to not mislead the Rongmei-Kabul people and mock the indigenous people of Manipur, erstwhile independent Kingdom of the South East Asian Continent.

In a release, ZUCMV said that the concocted and fabricated claims by some people/ organisations with vested interest are directed against the true status of the yelhoumi/indigenous people.

The ZUCMV alleged that the statements were made by divisive elements with the aim to create confusion and destroy the solidarity among the Nagas.

"The facts stands that the Kabul (Rongmei) speaking the same dialect as a single tribe originally registered as KABUI i.e.Rongmei Inpui Combined by the Scheduled Tribes (ST) Act, 1950 .

In Sl No 8 of the Constitution Amendment (ST) Act, 2011, only displayed Kabui and Inpui separately but it was only Kabui (combining Rongmei & Inpui/Puimei) in 1950", it added.

Furthermore, the ZUCMV mentioned that all the Kabuis living in Manipur are Nagas and advised all to not repeat such baseless & unintentional blunder in the future.

Meanwhile, the Rongmei Naga People's Organisation (RNPO) has expressed its reservations against the claims made by some people time and again that Kabui and Rongmei are not the same and are not part of the Naga community.

In a release, RNPO said that Kabui was recognised as a Scheduled Tribe in 1950 and since then many Rongmeis were Kabuis have been enjoying scholarships and other benefits in the name of Kabui.

The RNPO continued that many Rongmei got through competitive examinations like UPSC, MPSC, etc in the name of the Kabui.

Some of them have retired and many are still serving in different departments both under the GOI and State Government.

"Haipou Jadonang, a Kabui Naga from Kambiron (Puiluanh) village was the founder of Naga Raj Movement as per the British record which is also part of the syllabus History of Manipur which is taught in the University, College and High School levels.

It is an undeniable fact", it added.

The RNPO also said that the nomenclature Rongmei came into being in 2012 only after the Government of India gave due recognition to the Rongmei as a Schedule Tribe and since then both the Rongmei and Kabui have been simultaneously used as tribe nomenclature.

"However, 99% of the Rongmei speaking group preferred Rongmei as their official tribe nomenclature and hardly 1% of the Rongmei speaking group clings to that Colonial name Kabui till date", it added.

The RNPO further warned all concerned to stop misguiding, promoting hate and division among the Rongmeis and Kabuis.

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