The consultative meeting called by Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) to discuss the decision of the NSCN (IM) recognizing Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei – collectively known as Zeliangrong – at Jalukie town in Peren district on Tuesday remained inconclusive as no resolution was adopted.
Sources said resolution on the issue could not be passed as only 35 representatives from Zeliangrong civil organisations, social leaders, politicians, government officers, intellectuals, scholars and academicians, religious leaders, women leaders, members of village authorities/Gaon Burhas and others called to the meeting were present.
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The tatar hoho (parliament) of NSCN (IM) at a meeting in its headquarters at Camp Hebron on March 23 recognised Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei as separate tribal communities. The Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) termed the decision of NSCN (IM) as ‘arbitrary’ and called the consultative meeting to discuss the issue.
The organisation said the NSCN (IM)’s recognition of Zelinagrong as three separate tribes was pursuant of the directive of the outfit’s vice-president on March 17.
However, the Zeliangrong people, including senior leaders, elders, intellectuals, public leaders, women leaders, youth and student activists, etc., while coming together at Chingmeirong Kabui village in Imphal on the historic day of Chukthoibe/Chukthoibu/Chuksumei on April 1 solemnly upheld and reaffirmed the solidarity oath taken by their forefathers by performing a ‘solidarity ritual oath’ at Tamenglong on April 1, 1934 by beheading a black cat.
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They pledged that similar fate would befall anyone whosoever breaks the pledge harming the oneness, unity and integrity of Zeliangrong, All Zeliangrong Students’ Union, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) said in a joint statement.
The three organisations also declared and reaffirmed the solidarity oath, which sustains the oneness of the Zeliangrong family, will be upheld at any cost in the days to come.
However, the Rongmei Naga People’s Organisation (RNPO) on Sunday issued directives to all its units, councils/frontal organisations in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland not to participate in the meeting called by Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN).
None should attend the meeting till such time the parallel bodies- Zeliangrong Baudi and Zeliangrong Union – are merged into one apex body as per their joint declaration made at a consultative meeting (Zeliangrong Baudi and Zeliangrong Union) held in Imphal on May 27, 2017, the RNO said.
The RNPO, the apex body of Rongmei people living in the three States of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to NSCN (I-M) for the decision.