Tousem comes alive to Zeme recognition gala
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, January 09 2013: Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Wednesday inaugurated the 'Zeme Tribe Recognition Celebration-cum-Cultural Festival, Northeast India' at Tousem Sub-Divisional headquarters, Tamenglong district.

Gracing the function as chief guest, the Chief Minister formally opened the celebration after unveiling the monolith of the special occasion.

The Chief Minister arrived at the Tousem headquarters in Tamenglong district by a chopper around 9 am.

He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, RD & PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa and PHE Minister I Hemochandra during the visit.

MLAs Janghemlung Panmei, Kikhonbou Newmai, C Arthur, Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong, Armstrong Panmei, SDO, Tousem and other civil and police officials also attended the function.

The celebration is being organized by Zeme Council, Northeast India under the theme: "Working Together is Success." Hundreds of people belonging to Zeme tribe hailing from different parts of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur are participating in the event.

At the function held at Tousem which is located 250 km west of Imphal, various Zeme dances and songs were performed.

A cultural exhibition was also organized as part of the celebration.

During the function, the organizing committee presented gifts to the Chief Minister and other Ministers, MLAs, Autonomous District Council members, civil and police officials, Commandants of Manipur Rifles and officials of different Government departments.

Chief Minister gracing the function as chief guest

The Government of India had earlier recognized the Zeme tribe as 'Kachcha Naga." Later on, recognizing was granted as "Zeme." The event is being held in connection with the recognition as well as the cultural show of the Zeme tribe inhabiting in the Northeast.

At the opening ceremony, different civil organisations submitted memorandums/memoranda to the Chief Minister.

A queen contest will also be held as part of the celebration.

Addressing the function, RD & PR Minister Francis Ngajokpa appealed to the Zeme tribe to maintain peaceful co-existence.

Living together in peace and harmony brings prosperity, Ngajokpa asserted and called for spreading the message of peace everywhere.

PHE Minister I Hemochandra said his long desire for visiting the Tousem has fulfilled.

He said the celebration is an important event of the Zeme tribe and it is really fortunate for him to be able to take part it.

Earlier, announcing that cultural celebration of the event has been kick-started, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhanga, who is also holding the portfolio of Home, remarked that it was a historic day.

Although it was recognized as Zeliangrong and Kabui before, now they are recognized as Rongmei, Liyangmei and Zeme, he noted.

Gaikhangam said, "Recognition or re-modification of the Rongmei and Liyangmei had already been celebrated and now we are celebrating the recognition of the Zeme, hailing it as a group having rich cultural heritage.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Sigh, while speaking on the occasion, said the Government has set up ADCs in the hill districts of Manipur as part of the democratic decentralization process.

They have been vested with the power to exercise in various Government departments including DRDA, he said, adding a committee headed by a retired Judge of High Court will find out ways to develop the hill areas of the state.

The Chief Minister assured the state Government will make efforts to develop Tamenglong district, particularly Tousem and added that the Government would look into the ways for establishing weaving centres for women in the Sub-Division of the hill district.

He further announced that the Government will take up the Tribal Area Inclusive Project in 26 tribal blocks and 10 blocks including Tousem would be covered in the first phase of the project.

Under the project, SDO office buildings, quarters, police outposts, barracks and banks will be constructed at the cost of Rs 11 crore each.

The Government is also planning to take up a water supply scheme at a total cost of Rs 2.05 crore under NLCPR to provide drinking water to the people of Tousem, he added.

Later, the Chief Minister handed Rs 1 lakh to the organizing committee of the celebration.

He also released a book entitled "Zeme Cultural Heritage and Customary Laws" .

The Chief Minister and his team left Tousem for Imphal by the same chopper at 11:30 am.