ZUCM clarifies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 09 2023:
The Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur Valley (ZUCM) has clarified that the nomenclature of Kabui and Rongmei is a single ethnic entity and urged all right thinking individuals/ organisations/ associations to not create unwanted confusion in the larger interest of the Kabui-Rongmei tribe which can be used interchangeably.
In a release, the ZUCM has welcomed the joint press statement issued by Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) and Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) rebutting the narratives about Kabui being a separate entity having no ethnic linkage to Zeliangrong & Naga group and added that the statement came at a time when some vested interest individuals are trying to portray the ethnicity of Kabui/Rongmei by distorting historical facts & subsequent organisational formation.
ZUCM stated that the modern organisational formation can be traced to the establishment of Agangmei Movement in 1925 with PG Chikhong as secretary.
"In 1927 it was changed to Kabui Chingshang and again to Kabui Samity on March 7, 1934.The name Kabui Samity was then changed to Kabui Naga Association in 1946", it added.
ZUCM also mentioned that following the formation of Zeliangrong Council on February 15, 1947 at Keishamthong in order to encompass the whole cognate tribes of KABUI and Kacha Nagam the nomenclature of Kabui Naga Association was changed to Manipur Zeliangrong Union on December 14, 1947 .
"Further, Manipur Zeliangrong Union was re-christened as Zeliangrong Naga Union in the 11th general meeting held at Joute Pabram village on February 25-26, 1960 to cover the entire Zeliangrong people of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland", it added.
ZUCM shared that the separate identity assertion arose due to the recognition of Zeliangrong tribe into six separate tribes namely Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, Kabui, Inpui and Kacha Naga in Manipur.
"To clear the air of confusion with regard to recognition of Kabui and Rongmei as separate tribes, a Kabui-Rongmei Consultative Meeting was held on August 10, 2013 at Majorkhul Community Hall, Imphal, wherein was resolved that Kabui-Rongmei is a single tribe though recognised as two separate nomenclature; to speak in a nutshell- Kabui is also Rongmei and vice-versa which can be used synonymously", it added.