History of Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland)

K Poushinglung *

This is a rejoinder to the press statement of ZYF President Shri Titus Kamei published in the esteemed Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri edition) dated November 1, 2015 under the caption "100% has given public opinion for single apex body of Zeliangrong people".

The ZU (AMN) strongly denied his wrong and contradictory interpretation on the history of Zeliangrong Union and dissidence problems of Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) within Zeliangrong Union (ZU). For public consumption or information, the ZU (AMN) hereby gives historical facts and events as clarification:

That, the ZU (AMN) is the genuine apex body, it is the immediate legacy of "Agaengmei" established on January 15, 1925 by our farsighted forefathers. It also came to be known as "Kabui Chingsang" in 1927. On March 7-8.1934, the Organisation was renamed as "Kabui Samiti" which performed a holy rite "Chuksumei" on April 1, 1934 at Tamenglong Hqs. for unity and solidarity of our kindred tribes. In 1946, after 2nd World War, the Kabui Samiti was renamed as the "Kabui Naga Association".

On February 15,1947, our forefathers (Zeme, Liangmei, Rongmei, Puimei) from Naga Hills of Assam and Manipur State held a historic conference at Imphal and established the "Zeliangrong Council" as the combined body of all our Zeliangrong Tribes of Manipur and Assam (North Cachar Hills and Naga Hills) - with its Head Office at Kohima, and Branch Office at Imphal and Tamenglong Hqs. (for Manipur sector), at Haflong for North Cachar Hills sector and at Birema for Naga Hills sector.

Unfortunately, the Zeliangrong Council in North Cachar Hills and Naga Hills sectors of Assam failed to function. The pre-existing "Kabui Naga Association" was renamed as "Manipur Zeliangrong Union" on December 14, 1947 at Dailong. In 1960, in the midst of the fierce Armed Naga Movement, the Manipur Zeliangrong Union was renamed as the "Zeliangrong Naga Union" at Phalong (Bhallok) for certain political reasons and the Union expanded its jurisdiction over all the Zeliangrong areas left unattended by the defunct "Zeliangrong Council".

In November 1964, the Heiningkunglwa Conference revived and reactivated the defunct "Zeliangrong Council" with a newly drafted constitution. But the activities of the "Zeliangrong Council" could never come-up to the expectation of the people. Unfortunately, it became defunct again.

In around 1995, a local organisation called the "Zeliangrong Ho/am" of Dimapur merged into the Zeliangrong Naga Union(ZNU) with a view to enhance the Zeliangrong Naga Union by deleting the word "Naga" from the nomenclature. But it was also defunct again after years of functioning in Nagaland.

It must be noted that the ZU did not object at all against the first "Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB)" which was formed in 1997 by some local activists of Dimapur (with Mr. Dennis as President) for the purpose of serving the local interests in respect of local politics and developmental facilities. This "Baudi" did not claim that it was the apex body of Zeliangrong people. It did not violate the constitution of the ZU (AMN).

The ZU (AMN) raised objection against the Second "Zeliangrong Baudi" which was set up on 5/11/2007 at Zalukie by Mr. K. Ningtangpou, after he had been impeached and removed from the post of President of ZU (AMN) on 20/09/2007 by a convention at Tamenglong Hqs. The reasons for objection against the 2nd Zeliangrong Baudi are obvious.

Mr. K. Ningtangpou claimed that his "Zeliangrong Baudi" was the apex body of Zeliangrong people in lieu of ZU (AMN). Secondly, the impeached renegade had no authority, power or right to dismiss the historic body of ZU (AMN) and to set up a new body to replace it. Mr. Ningtangpou with some of his men began to function as a parallel body of the ZU (AMN). The ZU (AMN) strongly opposed against the unconstitutional and illegal act of Ningtangpou's Zeliangrong Baudi.

The "Chaguat Phoam" took up an initiative to resolve the controversy over the Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) and convened a meeting at Nungba on 18/06/2009, which was attended by representatives of ZU, ZB, Youths, Students and National leaders. The Nungba meeting decided to hold a convention at Tamenglong Hqs. with a specific agenda to decide on the use of the terms "Union or Baudi" or otherwise by peoples' mandate (voting) on the nomenclature of Zeliangrong Union.

The Zeliangrong General Public Convention (ZGPC) was held on 30/10/2009 at Tamenglong Hqs. but the ZB abstained themselves from the Convention. Although more than 90% of the official delegates clearly expressed their support for "Union", voting was not taken. Instead, the Convention set up an 11 members "Zeliangrong Interim Body" (ZIB) headed by G Gaingam, Ex. President ZU(AMN) to find a solution to the "Baudi" problem. The Convention also recommended "Cease Work" (suspension of functioning) of the ZB and ZU till the ZIB find out a solution within a period of 3 (three) months (November 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010).

ZIB took up some works including drafting of a Constitution for the apex body. However,the ZIB failed to bring a solution of the Baudi problem within the stipulated period of 3(three) months.So, at the expiry of its tenure of 3 months, the ZIB died a natural death and became defunct.

On the expiry of the three months term of the ZIB, the ZU (AMN) in accordance with the provisions of the constitution re-activated and resumed its normal function as before and accepted the ZIB's Draft Constitution in Principle in its Union Assembly. Whereas, the Ningtangpou's ZB was never revived again after the cease-work imposed by the Tamenglong Convention and it became defunct naturally.

The formation of the third Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) was a fresh issue of 'Baudi' which was created by a meeting of certain leaders in Dimapur on 20/02/2010 to form a new ZIB. This unauthorised or self styled ZIB was also for a tenure of three months only, that is, upto 26/05/2010. This fake ZIB expired its life on 26/05/2010 and was extinct thereof.

After the extinction of its life, this fake ZIB of Ningthaodai held a Convention at Peren on July 30, 2010 and formed the Third "Zeliangrong Baudi" (with Raitu Chawang as the President). Therefore, ZU shall have objection if the third ZB also claims itself as the apex body or functions as a parallel body to the ZU (AMN). Any illegal, illegitimate and unconstitutional body cannot claim as the apex body of Zeliangrong people nor can function as a parallel body of ZU (AMN).

The ZU (AMN) has no objection against any Organisation and NGO in the Zeliangrong Society unless it directly violates the Constitution of the 90 years old Zeliangrong Union which is the sole apex body of Zeliangrong people since its establishment in 1925.

The ZU (AMN) is very clear about its position in the issue. There are appropriate provision in its Constitution for change or reform of the Organisation, for amendment of the Constitution, for change of leaders and office bearers periodically through the elections, for change of nomenclature according to the desire of the people.

The ZU will always welcome any good proposal and suggestion for bringing a solution to the differences lying between the ZU and the ZB. The ZU shall place such proposal at its Central Executive and then in the Union Assembly for approval and implementation.