ZUF recommits to ideals of Jadonang
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 01 2023:
Chairman of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) S Kamson has stated that the outfit was formed in 2011 following the ideals of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu to reassert the Zeliangrong identity and demand for Zeliangrong homeland.
Speaking at the 92nd Martyr's Day of Haipou Jadonang on August 29, S Kamson continued that establishing a Zeliangrong homeland is not only a dream of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu but all the Zeliangrong people.
He said that the Martyr's Day of Haipou Jadonang is observed every year to rejuvenate 'our patriotism' for 'Makaam Gwangdi (Makaan Kingdom)' and reimagine the idea of Haipou Jadonang who fought against the British to establish self rule for his (Zeliangrong) people.
S Kamson continued that Haipou Jadonang was a revolutionist, reformer, political leader, freedom fighter, a man of wisdom and a man of different personalities.
Saying that Haipou Jadonang was born in 1905 at Luangba (Nungba) Sub-Division under Tamenglong district, he said that the Zeliangrong leader witnessed the pain and suffering of his people under the oppressive British colonial from a very young age.
Under his socio-religious mission, Haipou Jadonang began to launch non-cooperation movement against the colonial rule by asking people not to pay house tax, monetary demand and stop physical work, S Kamson maintained and added that the Zeliangrong people began to impart military drills to his followers and procured arms to wage a war against the colonial Government and drive out the British.
Stating further that Haipou Jadonang was arrested on February 19, 1931 from Lakhipur while returning from pilgrimage to Bhuvan cave and transferred to a jail in Imphal, S Kamson continued that the motive of the British was to crush the movement of the Zeliangrong leader and eliminate him.
Haipou Jadonang was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit after a mock trial and he was hanged on August 29, 1931 at Imphal Jail and hijacked the movement to create Makaam Gwangdi, the ZUF chairman added.
S Kamson claimed that Haipou Jadonang was betrayed by his own followers and his own people for their vested interest and to escape the gallows.