VCLA wants Rani Gaidinliu Museum at Tamenglong or Noney
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 06 2020: The Rongmei people along with other Zeliangrong Nagas living in the States of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland are extremely happy to learn that the Government of India under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has a proposal to construct Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum in Manipur in recognition of the contributions of Rani Gaidinliu and other women freedom fighters, said a statement of Villages Council of Longmai Area (VCLA) today.

The proposed Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum in Manipur will showcase the contributions of Rani Gaidinliu and many other tribal women freedom fighters.

VCLA noted that Rani Gaidinliu has been awarded Padma Bhusan, Tamra Patra, Swami Vivekananda Seva Award, Birsa Munda Award, etc.

In her honour, the Government of India had released commemorative postal stamp, commemorative coin of hundred rupees, circulation coin of five rupees and Indian Navy had also launched Rani Gaidinliu Vessel.

Therefore, it would be most appropriate to construct the museum in her name ie Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum and in her native districts of Tamenglong or Noney (Longmai), it said.

The Villages Council Longmai Area (VCLA) also strongly condemned alleged attempts of some officials in Delhi and Minister for Tribal & Hill Areas Development, Government of Manipur to change the original proposal and remove the prefix Rani Gaidinliu from the Tribal Freedom Fighters' Museum.

It is also a well known fact that some important projects taken up in memory of the veteran Freedom Fighter failed to complete and abandoned like the one in Kohima (Rani Museum cum Library), Nagaland due to objections raised by some sections of people based on religion and indigenous issues.

Hence, the intended purpose and noble objective of the project has not been realized till date even though the Government of India had sanctioned funds in terms of crores for the project, said VCLA.

It also opposed shifting of the site of the museum to Makhel, Senapati district.

"If her native village, Longkao is not feasible because of any reason, the proposed museum may kindly be set up at Noney DHQs, which is just 64 km away from Imphal capital city.

Noney district is also a Rongmei native districts to which Rani Gaidinliu belong.

The villagers would be most willing to donate the land free of cost for such a project in the name of Rani Gaidinliu, it added.

The parameters laid down by the National Level Committee (NLC) in its meeting held on February 18, 2020 such as regular power supply, Police Station, Fire Brigade, ATM & Banking services, market, hotels & restaurants, Public Health Centre, etc are all available at the proposed site at Noney.

The proposed site, Noney is just one and half hour drive away from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal.

It is learnt that the present site proposed by the State Government at Makhel near Tadubi in Senapati district which is approx 120 kilometres from Imphal has been rejected by the National Level Committee (NLC) .

"We have serious doubts that, if the proposed museum is constructed in Senapati district or any other districts and not in her native districts of Noney or Tamenglong, similar fate may befallen as that of Kohima Museum," said VCLA.

If the legitimate appeal of the Rongmei people and Zeliangrong Nagas is not considered due to any pressure being exerted by vested interest groups or individuals, her aggrieved people will consider it as an insult and humiliation to Rani Gaidinliu, it said.

People may also resort to blocking Railways projects, National Highways, and other agitations if their appeal is not heard, VCLA added.

Comment