RNSO calls for unity of Rongmei, says bandh immature
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 22 2024: Rongmei Naga Students' Organisation (RNSO) and its Manipur unit, RNSO-Manipur, have jointly issued a call for unity and cooperation within the Rongmei community, while expressing deep concern over the current social trends that seem to be leading towards division and conflict rather than constructive development.

The two organisations also called the blockade and bandh by RNCM Ntayphay Luangrian as immature.

In a joint press release, both organisations emphasised the need for a renewed focus on building a peaceful and progressive Rongmei society.

The press release highlighted the role of the Rongmei Naga People Organisation (RNPO), which established the RNSO in 2016 to oversee affairs of the Rongmei student community.

RNSO was created with the mission of laying a strong foundation for the Rongmei generation.

Recently, a new leadership team for RNSO-Manipur was elected by the mandate of Rongmei society, bringing fresh vision and energy to the organisation.

However, the release acknowledged that the RNSO-Manipur has faced challenges in the recent past, leading to inconsistencies and improper functioning that have caused disappointment and disturbances within the community.

The organisation admitted that the students' body had not been able to fulfil its responsibilities to the satisfaction of Rongmei student community and the larger society, primarily due to circumstantial interruptions and internal differences.

A significant point of contention was the ideological division between the RNSO and the Rongmei Naga Youth Organisation (RNYO) in Manipur.

The Rongmei Naga Council Manipur's (RNCM) insistence that both the RNSO and RNYO Manipur units should operate under RNCM, was seen as undermining the autonomy of the student and youth bodies.

The press release emphasised that it is generally accepted in the society that student and youth organisations should function autonomously, though there can be coordination and support between these bodies and other organisations on matters of interest common to the community.

The newly elected team of RNSO-Manipur is committed to fostering understanding and proper coordination with state and regional organisations, viewing this as essential to advancing the interests of Rongmei community.

The RNSO and RNSO-Manipur appealed to Rongmei public to promote unity, mutual understanding, and acceptance to build a peaceful and progressive society.

The organisations also urged the community to forgive past mistakes and wrongs committed by leaders and to strive toward creating an environment of love, unity, cooperation, and tolerance.

They called for a united effort to work for peace, progress, and the overall development of the Rongmei community, urging everyone to move beyond divisive attitudes, hatred, selfish interests, and personal gain.

The joint press release also addressed the issue of amalgamating and merging Rongmei-inhabited areas in the foothills under Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts into Noney and Tamenglong districts.

This, they stated, has been a long-standing and legitimate demand made in the interest of concerned citizens.

However, they criticised the recent blockade and bandh initiated by RNCM Ntayphay Luangrian as immature, un procedural, emotional, and sectional, noting that it caused significant public disturbances.

RNSO and RNSO-Manipur stressed that the issues at hand are of common concern and interest to all Zeliangrong kindred tribes and should be addressed through well-planned, collective approaches.

The two organisations also assured of extending full cooperation in finding pragmatic solutions to these issues and to support initiatives that benefit the entire Rongmei community.

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