ZUF chief pays rich tributes to Jadonang
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 28 2014: The Zeliangrong United Front Chairman S Kamson, on behalf of the front and the Zeliangrong people, has paid rich tributes to the martyr and freedom fighter, Haipou Jadonang who was mercilessly executed on 29th August, 1931 by the British colonial Government.

He had been put to death but his vision lives on till today and the colonial power could not crush his revolutionary spirit, the Chairman remarked in a press statement issued on the occasion of Haipou Jadonang's death anniversary.

"Even though they had executed him more than 80 years ago, hundreds and thousands more Jadonangs arose and will continue to rise in our land today.

I want to re-assure Haipou's spirit that his sons and daughters will never rest until his cherished dream is fulfilled", the Chairman asserted.

It may be recalled that Haipou Jadonang stood up against all odds and fought the mighty British colonial power to ensure that the Zeliangrongs and other indigenous people in the region will not be subjected to exploitation and subjugation by alien rulers.

His famous slogan, 'Makaam meirui gwang tupuni', roughly interpreted as the sons of the soil will rule, has been an inspiration to all indigenous people in North Eastern region.

Jadonang's movement aimed to end the British rule and establish the 'self-rule' of the Nagas described by the British as 'Naga Raj' movement.

It attracted large number of followers from the Zeliangrong Nagas and other kin tribes.

He fought against the British policies of forced labor, imposition of tax, forced subscription and various other forms of exploitation.

One of the most worthy persons who was greatly inspired by Haipou Jadonang was Rani Gaidinliu.

She took up the mantle of leadership after Haipou Jadonang was executed by the British colonial government.

But later on she was also arrested by the British forces in 1932 and sentenced her to life imprisonment.

After her release from jail she earnestly began to work again for the integration of the Zeliangrong people into a single administrative unit.

However, she went underground again because of the threat she received from Naga National Council (NNC) during that period.

With the active intervention of the Government of India, she came out from her jungle hideout again in 1966 and thereafter she had been consistently demanding a separate administrative unit for her Zeliangrong people.

Having seen that independent India continues the old policies of British colonial government in many respects, the Zeliangrong Peoples' Convention was formed on 11th October, 1980 under the leadership of Rani Gaidinliu with the sole aim to demand Zeliangrong State/Homeland.

As a follow up, memoranda were submitted to the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and other succeeding Prime Ministers to grant Zeliangrong State/Homeland.

After much mobilization, the ZPC solemnly declared 30th November, 1982 as the 'Zeliangrong Homeland Demand Day'.

The movement for Zeliangrong State/Homeland under Rani Gaidinliu continued till her last breath.

After her death, the 7th Convention/Conference of ZPC was held at Peren Town on 28th May, 1993 and passed the historic Resolutions (Nos.1 and 4) to reaffirm and intensify the ZPC movement for Zeliangrong State/Homeland and also authorized the ZPC Youth Front to launch a movement and take up appropriate measures for realization of Zeliangrong State/Homeland.

Meanwhile, due to interference by some anti-Zeliangrong elements, the movement was unwillingly kept in abeyance for about two decades keeping in mind the larger interest of the Nagas.

However, the last two decades turned out to be a nightmare for the Zeliangrong people.

"Instead of consolidating our position or getting the elusive Nagas solution, the Zeliangrong people, land and their resources have come under serious threat.

The latest being, a big portion of our lands have been compromised in NC Hills to appease the Dimasas.

And there are threats in other Zeliangrong areas as well", said the Chairman.

Oil explorations are going on in Zeliangrong areas without the consent of the people.

Tipaimuk Dam which is being constructed against the wishes of the Zeliangrongs and other affected people in the region and attempts to illegally settle in Intangki Reserved Forest, Nagaland etc.

are matters of great concern.

The Zeliangrong people are fully convinced that as long as they are held under the present political dispensations of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, their concerns and interest will never be addressed to by the respective states.

"Therefore, on this Martyr's Day I appeal to the Government of India to seriously consider the legitimate and genuine demand of the Zeliangrong people and grant Zeliangrong State at the earliest", read the statement.

In this regard, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) had earlier submitted a memorandum on 18th April, 2013 with a demand to grant Zeliangrong State and ensure that the long cherished dream of Rani Gaidinliu and the Zeliangrong people to have a separate State is realized once and for all.

S Kamson further appealed to fellow ethnic communities in North East India to cooperate with them in realizing the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrong people.

"It is our firm belief that the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrongs will benefit other communities in the region as this will bring about socio-economic and political equilibrium in the region", Kamson asserted.

This is also a sincere appeal to all the national and political parties in India, media, intellectuals, civil society bodies, the people of North East India and all other people who have concerns for the welfare and development of marginalized communities to extend their full cooperation to the democratic and rightful aspiration of the Zeliangrong people to have a separate State.

The best way to honour and pay our respect to Haipou Jadonang would be to come forward and work for the cause for which he stood for.

While appealing to the Zeliangrong people to extend their fullest support to the cause, it is also being made clear that if any Zeliangrong is found to be an obstacle to the sublime cause, he/she would be deemed as anti-people, anti-Zeliangrong.

It may be pertinent to re-call that the ZPC Youth Front was authorized by the 7th Convention/Conference of ZPC to launch a movement and take up appropriate measures for the realization of Zeliangrong State.

Exactly after 18 years of the above Convention/Conference of ZPC, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) was established on 25th February, 2011 with the sole aim to defend the Zeliangrong people, land and resources and to work for the realization of Zeliangrong State.

"Even as we salute the great son of the motherland, I want to re-assure the Zeliangrong people and other kin tribes that we will march ahead with renewed vigor and conviction till we achieve our long cherished dream of a separate State and establish a rightful place for ourselves" .

"May the indomitable spirits of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu guide us in this great mission.

I pray to the Almighty to bless the Zeliangrongs and other indigenous people in the region", the Chairman concluded.

Comment