ZCO memo to CM proposes district rejig panel
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 29 2024: Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs), comprising Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front, and Zeliangrong Students' Union, submitted a memorandum to the chief minister N Biren urging for constituting a District Re-Organisation Commission during the upcoming Assembly session, set to commence from July 31 .

The ZCOs proposed alteration and amalgamation of Zeliangrong villages currently under Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts into Noney and Tamenglong districts.

The memorandum highlighted the long-standing demand of Zeliangrong people for merger of their villages into Tamenglong district, now bifurcated into Noney and Tamenglong.

They noted that Zeliangrong villages were included in the Sadar sub-division in 1933 by the British colonial administration for administrative convenience.

The subsequent upgrading of Churachandpur into a full-fledged district in 1969 was effected without the consent of Zeliangrong people, it contended.

In 1990, the Central government, under Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh and Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, directed the then Manipur chief minister RK Ranbir Singh to merge the Zeliangrong areas of Churachandpur and Sadar Hills into Tamenglong district.

However, the process initiated by the DCs of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, and Senapati districts was stalled due to government instability.

The ZCOs argued that the merger remains an unresolved issue without justifiable reason, and urged the incumbent government to address the same.

They suggested formation of a District Re-Organisation Commission, led by a person of impeccable integrity, to oversee the alteration and amalgamation of the Zeliangrong villages for justice.

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