Zeliangrong bodies object
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02 2012:
Zeliangrong Baudi,(AMN),Zeliangrong Youth Front (AMN), All Zeliangrong Students' Union (AMN), Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB), Manipur and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) have raised strong objection against the Government of India's plan to declare "Dima Hasao Territorial Council" instead of North Cachar Hills District in order to appease the Dimasa militant group.
The Zeliangrong bodies have also called a 24 hour bandh in all Zeliangrong areas of the North East region on October 4 .
The Govt of India's attempt to appease a single community whose population is confined in limited areas and having less population than the other indigenous communities is to suppress the Zeliangrong people and other indigenous communities living in North Cachar hills district by politically projecting Dimasa as majority and other communities as minorities, said a joint press release signed by ZB (AMN) president Raitu Chawang and ZYF (AMN) president Titus Kamei.
The Govt.of India should seriously study the ground reality before taking any decision which may jeopardize the already volatile situation in the North Cachar District.
Any wrong decision if committed by the Govt.of India would lead to total turmoil in the region.
The Zeliangrong people consider the plan as orchestration of Govt.of India to create communal disharmony amongst the different communities in North Cachar hill district.
There are more than 120 Zeliangrong villages in Assam alone with more than 280 villages in Manipur and about 80 villages in Nagaland.
Therefore, the Govt.of India should first materialize and fulfil the assurance given to the Zeliangrong people under the Govt.of India letter Vide No.9/15/89-CD/CEN on 15/05/1990 for integration of Zeliangrong areas of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland before any accord or agreement or understanding is reached between the Govt.of India and Dimasa militant outfit.
In protest against the Govt.of India plan, there would be 24 hrs total bandh in all the Zeliangrong areas in the State of Assam in N.C hills district, Manipur in Tamenglong district and Zeliangrong areas of Churachandpur and Senapati districts and Peren district of Nagaland on October 4 .
There is a long and legitimate demand of Zeliangrong people for integration of their land.
As such, the Govt.of India knowing well of the genuine demand had assured the Zeliangrong people for integration.
The Govt.of India's assurance was given to the Zeliangrong people much prior to the formation and inception of Dimasa militant outfit's demand.
Therefore, in case the Govt.of India fails to drop the plan to declare the Dima Hasao Territorial Council, it would invite the strongest protest from Zeliangrong people in order to protect their rights as citizens of the Country, it warned.