ZUF pursuing Gaidinliu's vision, aspiration
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 29 2015:
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has thanked the Central Government under PM Narendra Modi for recognizing and hailing freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu.
The Indian Government has been celebrating a year long Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary this year.
Many awards and acknowledgements have been bestowed on the only lady tribal freedom fighter of North-East India.
A statement issued by ZUF hailed the wisdom of the three Indian Prime Ministers viz; Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, for giving her the title "Rani of the Nagas" in 1937; Indira Gandhi for awarding her Tamrapatra (freedom fighter) in 1972; and Narendra Modi for launching a commemoration coin of rupees 100 and rupees 5 denominations to mark the 100th birth anniversary on August 24 at New Delhi.
It also acknowledged the contributions of Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya in honouring the Naga freedom fighter.
However, the wishes and aspirations of Rani Gaidinliu and Jadonang for a single administrative unit for Zeliangrong and kindred tribes are yet to be realised, it said.
The Zeliangrong people have been made minority in all the three States of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland under the Indian administration, said ZUF.
The aspirations of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu to keep the Zeliangrong people under a single administrative unit have not been fulfilled.
The progenies of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu long to realize the cherished visions of the past freedom fighters.
The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) carried the same vision of Rani Gaidinliu for a separate State for the Zeliangrong people, it asserted.
The ZUF is being hunted every now and then by the combined team of NSCN (IM) and the Indian army/ Assam Rifles and Dogra Regiment while Central Government at Delhi celebrates the freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu's birth centenary, said the outfit.
On the other hand the repeated memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister's Office and other authorities concerned of Indian Government have not been positively responded to till date.
The AR gives protection and free hands to the NSCN (IM) to roam around with arms and ammunition around the villages.
The meticulous hunting and operation against the ZUF, which is founded on the foundation laid by Rani Gaidinliu, and celebrating Rani Gaidinliu's birth anniversary is incongruous, it asserted.
It also accused the NSCN(IM), which has now signed a framework agreement with the Central Government, of working hands in glove with the Assam Rifles and Dogra Regiment to suppress the voice of the Zeliangrong people who share the same visions and dreams of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu.
The NSCN(IM) has been playing a double standard game stopping the Zeliangrong people from demanding a separate administrative unit while they give free hands to other communities, it alleged.
Local politicians like Gaikhangam, Deputy Chief Minister have been using the Assam Rifles and Dogra Regiment to rein in the sons and daughters of Rani Gaidinliu in Zeliangrong areas, specially in Tamenglong district, turning the areas of Rani Gaidinliu into a battle field.
If the Indian security forces continue their policy of suppressing the Zeliangrong people in connivance with some local politicians on one hand and the NSCN(IM) with Assam Rifles and Dogra Regiment on the other, the ZUF would not remain silent spectator and might use offensive policy in the near future against them, ZUF warned.