Stand of Jadonang recalled
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 25 2018: Chairman, Zeliangrong United Front, S Kamson extended his heartiest greetings to all the Zeliangrong people of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland on the auspicious occasion of the 7th Raising Day of Zeliangrong United Front.

He mentioned that it is by the grace of the Almighty and all the Zeliangrong people that the cause of Zeliangrong Movement is supported actively and encouraged and as a result, the outfit is commemorating its birth on 25th February 2011.On the August 29, 1931, Haipou Jadonang was mercilessly executed by the British Colonial Government due to his defiance against the exploitation and subjugation of his people by the British.

His famous slogan "Makaammeirui Gwangtupuni" which means, "the sons of the soil will reign" has been an inspiration to all indigenous people in the North East India.

Haipou Jadonang's movement was to establish self rule of the indigenous people which the British termed as "NagaRaj"and which attracted large number of people from the Zeliangrong and other kindredtribesintheregion.

It was unthinkable at that time that, in a village of Puiluanh, a village lad could rise against the oppressive policies ofthe mighty British in the form of force labour, imposition of taxes, forced subscription and various form of exploitation against the natives.

Paying respect to Haipou Jadonang, the Chairman declared that the foundation of Zeliangrong United Front is built on the beliefs and visions of Haipou Jadonang, that is to bring self rule or Zeliangrong homeland for the Zeliangrong people.

After Haipou Jadonang became a martyr, Rani Gaidinliu took up the leadership and continued the movement.

However, she was also arrested in 1932 and was awarded life imprisonment for her rebellion.

After her release from jail, she began to work for the integration of Zeliangrong people and land into a single administrative unit The chairman said that under her leadership, Zeliangrong People's Convention was formed in 1980 to demand Zeliangrong homeland for the Zeliangrong people living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.

She scarified all her youth and her life for the welfare of her people, he added.

For the sake of bigger Naga dream for sovereignty, Zeliangrong movement was kept in suspension.

However, he said that, the ancestral lands and resources of the Zeliangrong people have been misappropriated by State Government and other neighbouring communities.

In Assam, the renaming of NC Hills to Dima Hasao District was done much against the wishes of the Zeliangrong people.

Recently the State Government of Manipur, further segregated Zeliangrong areas under new districts such as Kangpokpi, Jiribam and Pherzawl (where the Zeliangrong people are minority in each district).

Meanwhile, in Nagaland, there was an unsolicited settlement in Ntangki Reserved Forest and forced attempt to destabilize Zeliangrong areas in Peren district.

In the name of development, the resources of the Zeliangrong people, be it land, water and hydrocarbons (oil exploration), are being' targeted and carried out against their wishes which is a matter of great concern today, regarding the survival of the Zeliangrong community.

Zeliangrong people are fully convinced that as long as they are held under the present political dispensation of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, their concerns and interests will never be addressed to by the respective States, he said.

Therefore, following the resolution of 7th Convention of ZPC held at Peren on May 28, 1993, it was reaffirmed to intensify the ZPC Movement for the Zeliangrong State or Homeland and also authorize ZPC Youth Front to start a movement and take up all appropriate measures for realization of Zeliangrong Sate/Homeland and thus, this very day, 7 years ago, Zeliangrong United Front was born to bring a Zeliangrong State in North East India with its armed wing Zeliangrong Tiger Force, he added.

The chairman informed that the Zeliangrong United Front submitted a memorandum to the Central Government on April 18, 2013 and on February 19, 2015, with a demand to grant Zeliangrong State and to ensure that the long cherished dream of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu be respected and realized according to the desire of the Zeliangrong people.

He appealed to the Central Government to seriously consider the legitimate and genuine demand of Zeliangrong people and grant Zeliangrong State at the earliest possible time.

He also appealed to all the ethnic and indigenous communities in NE India to kindly cooperate with ZUF in realizing the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrong people.

The chairman said that it is the ZUF's firm belief that the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrong will be beneficial for other communities as well in the region as this will bring about socio-economic and political equilibrium in the region.

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