ZUF lauds LNC-M for defying GPRN diktat; condemns eviction
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 04 2025: The armed Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has extended full support to Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC-M), in its stance of no more taxes' to the Government of the People s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN) .

In a press release issued Friday, ZUF reaffirmed its solidarity with the LNC-M's directive, issued on March 28, which categorically prohibits the payment of any tax to GPRN and demands an end to the collection of taxes on the roads.

ZUF strongly condemned what it described as the aggressive manipulation and intrusion by the Maram-Thangal Region of the NSCN-IM in redrawing the traditional land boundaries of Maremai village in Kangpokpi district without consulting the rightful stakeholders, particularly the Zeliangrong people.

Denouncing NSCN-IM's actions as an act of arrogance, greed, and absolute abuse of power, ZUF stated that the situation has escalated into outright brutality, including physical torture of innocent villagers, abuse of power at gunpoint, sexual harassment of women, desecration of religious figures, forceful uprooting of families, and destruction of homes and properties.

The ZUF noted that this brutality culminated in the forced eviction of Maremai villagers on April 1, detailing how NSCN-IM cadres stormed the village in the early hours, opening fire to instil fear before ordering villagers to vacate their homes before daybreak.

The villagers, including the village pastor, were subjected to severe physical assault, merciless beatings with gun butts, and verbal abuse.

As a result, the entire village has been displaced and is now taking refuge in a relief camp at Thonglang Akutpa village in Kangpokpi.

Questioning the legitimacy of such actions, ZUF accused NSCN-IM of hypocrisy, stating that its proclaimed vision of "Nagalim for Christ" is meaningless when even a pastor is not spared from violence.

It further criticised GPRN for consistently treating the Zeliangrong kindred people with contempt, denying them their history, land, identity, and dignity.

The Zeliangrong people, including Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Inpui, have an unshakable identity and an ancestral land that cannot be challenged or erased, ZUF asserted and warned that any act of subjugation or aggression against the Zeliangrong kindred would be met with unwavering resistance.

Meanwhile, ZUF appreciated the decision of LNC-M and called for an end to the longstanding exploitation of Zeliangrong lands and people by underground elements of GPRN, particularly the NSCN-IM.

The Front also rejected what it called a deceitful double standard and vowed that Zeliangrong people would no longer tolerate manipulation and exploitation.

Calling the recent eviction of Maremai villagers a wake-up call, ZUF declared that they would stand firmly to defend their rights, land boundaries, and history.

ZUF also thanked the people of Thonglang Akutpa for providing shelter and assistance to the displaced villagers of Maremai during this crisis, while assuring the affected families of Zeliangrong people's solidarity.

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