ZUF sticks to blockade stand
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 24 2015 : The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has asserted that it would go ahead with its proposed 72 hours bandh in all Zeliangrong inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in pursuit of its demand for a Zeliangrong State.

ZUF, in a statement issued by its information and publicity secretary A Longmei said that the Front's demand for a separate Zeliangrong State is neither sponsored by selfish motivation nor conceived by few disgruntled youth or criminal.

"It is the genuine need of the Zeliangrong people who feel the need to claim their rights since the struggle from Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu.

The ZUF does not stand against the aspiration of the Nagas.

The Zeliangrong people would continue to support ZUF and the front would never stand against the wishes of the Nagas," it asserted.

The struggle and demand for Zeliangrong State is not given birth by the ZUF, but a genuine demand which has its history with records including Government of India's acknowledgement since Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and other former Prime Ministers of India, it said.

Although the ZUF respects the appeal of UNC to review the 72 hours bandh, the statement asserted that the bandh is not against the talks between NSCN-IM and Government of India.

Also, it is not against any community, but to seek GOI's intervention to the long pending demand of Zeliangrong people for a separate State, it said.

The Zeliangrong civil societies and public should stand in support of the demand for Zeliangrong State.

Hitting back at the NSCN-IM, the statement said that the NSCN-IM which is holding talks with the Government of India, has been torturing the Zeliangrong people since their formation in the 1980s.Regarding the mass rape of school going children, the ZUF said that the incident happened after some leaders of NSCN-IM called defected cadres of ZUF and instigated them to commit the crime in order to tarnish the image of the ZUF.

The culprits are already in jail and law will take its own course.

The matter has been frequently brought out with the intention to defame the outfit.

The culprits would have been punished severely if the case was handled by the outfit, it said.

It accused the IM of creating fear and unleashing terror in Zeliangrong inhabited areas.

The NSCN-IM cadres went from village to village beating village council chairmen, village authorities' members and the youth for no reasons.

Against the wish of Haipou Jadonang, who strongly rejected the culture of imposing tax on people in their own land, the NSCN-IM's culture of taxing the poor villagers continues unabated, it said.

Open looting by slaughtering pigs at villages to satisfy their gluttony, continuous killing of Zeliangrong people in the guise of hunting the ZUF men, killing of Dr Sajenglung Gangmei of Namthanlong (Muchi khul) Imphal in 1995, rape of a theologian in Zunhebuto, Nagaland in 2013, killing of Hiamluang, a staunch supporter of Zeliangrong homeland demand at Tamenglong in 1989, killing of Dr Kishan and his subordinate staff in 2009, molesting actress Momoko in Chandel in 2013, orchestrating Kuki-Naga clash in the name of Naga Nationalism, inhumane treatment meted out to aged persons in a function at Khoupum, rape of Puimei/Inpui girl at Nungtek in 2004, rape of Nungleiban Pinjeng in 1995, rape of Liangmai girl of Taroulong near Buning camp in 1999, rape of Hmar girl of Tuisland in 2011, rape of Nyia/Myia girl near Hebron camp in 2010, rape of Tamenglong lady by Timothy (NSCN-IM) of Noney, rape of Chiru girl at Waithou in Dimaur, lynching of two Zeliangrong youths at Buning camp during the tenure of Stanhope and Chinaoyo as commanding officers are some ghastly and heinous crimes committed by the NSCN-IM cadres, it said.

The NSCN-IM also took crores of money from candidates in the name of getting their blessings in every election, it alleged.

"Is this how the NSCN-IM is showing love to the Zeliangrong Nagas ?" it asked.

Pointing out that the Zeliangrongs are still facing harassment from the NSCN-IM which colluded with the security forces, the ZUF asked them to stop such activities.

"Zeliangrong State is not the issue of Naga people, the ZUF and Zeliangrong people would take care of the Zeliangrong State demand and NSCN-IM should take care of the 'unfruitful' Naga sovereignty issue," it added.

Why the NSCN-IM is feeling troubled when the Zeliangrong Nagas continue to support the Naga peace process, it asked.

Many rallies and seminars have taken place in Zeliangrong areas to expedite the Naga talks.

"The Zeliangrong Nagas' demand for a separate State is like the demand of Alternative Arrangement (AA) in Manipur pursued by other Naga tribes under the aegis of UNC.

It is also like Nagaland State," it justified.

The Khoupum valley people are supportive to the cause of Zeliangrong and the ZUF is not based in Khoupum but the whole of Zeliangrong areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.

There are no collaborations with politicians, vested leaders or vested people, agencies or criminals, but it is a common hope for better society.

The ZUF further urged the Zeliangrong people, Nagas, other neighbouring communities, civil societies, Churches and public to extend cooperation and support to the 72 hour bandh.

Any individuals who defy the bandh will be doing so at their own risk, it warned.

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