ZU (AMN)-ZB (AMN) issues and Zeliangrong orgns

K Poushinglung *

The so called President ZYF (AMN) Mr Titus rejoinder dated 7th Nov., 2015 Hueiyen Lanpao local paper questioning the 90 years old ZU (AMN)' s origin and its differences with the 3rd ZB (AMN) formed on 30th July, 2010 is very much unfortunate. Mr. Titus without knowing the head and tails of the ZU (AMN) apex body's original history and also not knowing how when and by whom the 3rd ZB (AMN) was formed, is trying to become the champion for uniting the two bodies of Zeliangrong is too immature.

The ZU (AMN) knows everything well about the fact and figure of all the formation of Zeliangrong frontal organisations and don't want to give this rejoinder again to our prodigal son (Mr. Titus Karaei); but we are compelled to give this rejoinder in the greater interest of the general public as well as for wide information.

The root, origin and history of Zeliangrong Union goes back to "Agangmei" organisation of 1925. It also came to be known as "Kabui Chingsang" in 1927. The Agangmei/Kabui-Chingsang was renamed as Kabui Samiti in 1934. In 1946, after the Second World War, the Kabui Samiti was renamed as Kabui Naga Association. In 1947 (December), the Kabui Naga Association was renamed as Manipur Zeliangrong Union. In 1960, the organisation was renamed as Zeliangrong Naga Union. In 1995, it was renamed as Zeliangrong Union, as it stands today. This is the history of the Zeliangrong apex body. This apex body is 90 years old now. Nobody can deny this fact and history. It is the truth.

What is "Baudi" problem ? Recently certain activists set up new organization called "Zeliangrong Baudi" - the first one in 1997; the second Baudi in 2007; and the third Baudi in 2010.

The first "Zeliangrong Baudi" which was set up by some local activists of Dimapur in 1997, with Mr. Dennis as President, for the for the purpose of serving local interests in respect of local politics and development facilities in Dimapur and adjacent areas. The Dimapur Zeliangrong Baudi did not create any problem to the Zeliangrong Union.

The present problem was created by the second "Zeliangrong Baudi" of Ningtangpou. Mr. Ningtangpou who was impeached and removed from the President-ship of Zeliangrong Union in September 2007, formed the second Zeliangrong Baudi at Jalukie in November 2007. The Baudi problem started when Ningtangpou made the claim that his Zeliangrong Baudi was the apex body of the Zeliangrong people, replacing the 90 years old Zeliangrong Union, H was really a very funny claim - unconstitutional, illegal, illegitimate and crazy.

While the Zeliangrong Union has been existing and functioning for nearly a century as the apex organization of the Zeliangrong people, how die Zeliangrong Baudi (Ningtangpou) which was unconstitutional, illegal and illegitimate baby born just yesterday could claim as the apex body. However, a few dissidents (his associates) were supporting and spreading the false claim mat the Zeliangrong Baudi (Ningtangpou) was the apex body. In order to smooth out the differences and misunderstanding, the Chaguat Phom stepped into the issue and decided to hold a convention of the Zeiiangrong people.

Accordingly, the "Zeiiangrong , General Public Convention" (ZGPC) was held at Tamenglong on October 30 2009, with the agenda to ascertain the choice of people by taking public mandate (by voting) between "UNION" and "BAUD!" as nomenclature of the apex organization. But the Zeliangrong Baudi (Ningtangpou) decided to abstain from the convention of the people and in fact they abstained. The convention (ZGPC) was attended by more than one thousand official delegates including Union Executive Members, Zonal Executive Members, Chiefs and Representatives of all the Zeliangrong villages, Zeliangrong national leaders and prominent Zeliangrong leaders. In the proceedings of the convention, the House was absolutely in favour of "UNION" and rejected the claim of the "Baudi" claim; but voting did not take place.

Instead, the Convention formed a small body of 11 members called Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB) for a period of three months (1-11-2009 to 31-1-2010) within which the body would settle the problems created by the "Baudi", And it was also decided that the ZU and the Baudi should observe ''cease-work" to facilitate the working of the ZIB during the said period of three months.

The specified period of three months had passed by 31-2010, but the ZIB unfortunately failed to settle the problem within the given period. Having ended its life of three months, the ZIB expired by January 31 2010. Therefore some of the ZIB members had resigned and the expired ZIB defunct automatically.

As the three months of 'cease-work' period was over by February 1,2010, the ZU took decision under the provisions of its Constitution to re-activate immediately. Since then, the ZU has been working officially. But the "Zeliangrong Baudi" (Ningtangpou) was not revived and did not function again after the "cease-work" period. It was defunct and died a natural death.

In this connection Mr. Titus should know that the ZGPC (Tamenglong Convention) resolution did not mention for suspension or dissolution of the ZU or the Baudi. In its resolution the Convention put down specifically the word "cease-work" so as the ZIB could work freely. The drafting committee did not accept the suggestion for 'suspension' or 'dissolution'. Therefore Mr. Titus' assumption that the ZU had been dissolved by the ZGPC was absolutely wrong and unfounded. The ZU exists as before.

When the Zeliangrong Baudi (Ningtangpou) did not revive after the cease-work period, it did no longer exist as such his claim as the apex body also does not stand. The non-existence of the claimant (Ningtangpou 's Baudi) made the purpose of the ZGPC over. The Chaguat Phom and the ZGPC came into picture only because of the claim made by Ningtangpou Baudi. Therefore, the Chapter of the ZGPC and its expired ZIB was closed. The ZU alone stands as the apex body as before.

The third Baudi and fresh claim: After the ZIB of ZGPC had expired and its members had resigned, certain social activists held a meeting at Dimapur on 26-2-2010, They formed a new ZIB (with Ningthaodai as Convener). This new and fake ZIB held a meeting at Peren on 30-7-2010 and set up a new "Zeliangrong Baudi" (with Raitu Chawang as President). Now this third "Zeliangrong Baudi" has also been claiming as the apex body of Zeliangrong people in the place of the 90 years old Zeliangrong Union. First Mr. Ningtangpou was claiming and now Mr. Chawang's Baudi is claiming as the apex body. Mr. Titus should understand some important points in this regard.

(i) The Dimapur meeting of 26-2-2010 which formed the fake ZIB, was not a convention of the Zeliangrong people. They were a gathering of certain interested persons (about 40).
They have no power or authority to form another ZIB, They were not representatives from the 500 and plus Zeliangrong villages.
(ii) As the genuine ZIB (Tamenglong) had already expired and defunct some of its former members could not formed another ZIB on their behalf. They have no power to do so.
(iii) The fake ZIB of Dimapur has no authority to form an organization to claim as the apex body of the Zeliangrong people, in place of the ZU.
(iv) The third "Zeliangrong Baudi" (Raitu) which was created as a result of the unauthorized meeting of Dimapur (26-2-2010) and the fake ZIB (Ningthaodai), should never speak of being the apex body of Zeliangrong people.
(v) How could organization formed by a few unauthorized persons claim that their organization is the apex body. Unconstitutional, illegal, illegitimate and invalid demand.

The Genuine Apex Body of Zeliangrong people: The Zeliangrong Union, established in 1925 when no tribe in the Northeast region had organization of its own community at all, is a symbol of farsightedness of our forefathers and a matter of great pride for us, their posterity. The Zeliangrong Union maintains all the chronology of the nomenclatures of the body, list of Presidents, Vice Presidents, General Secretaries and Secretaries right from the "Agangmei", from 1925 onward till date, on the Board in the Union Office. The history and documents relating to formation of the frontal organisations like the ZYF, ZSU, ZWO are recorded. The role played by the Union in the Naga movement for public interest was appreciated.

Your "Referendum or Public opinion poll" was a failure and conventions held by the Union from time to time.

The Zeliangrong Union never misused the public platform; in fact it is the Zeliangrong Baudi which has been misusing the public forum to campaign for their wrong cause of "apex" body. How could the Ningtangpou's Baudi established in 2007 become the apex body. How could the Zeliangrong Baudi (Raitu Chawang) become the apex body in lieu of the Zeliangrong Union which is hallowed by the sacrifice of our forefathers.

The Genuine Apex Body of Zeliangrong people: The Zeliangrong Union, established in 1925 when no tribe in the Northeast region had organization of its own community at all, is a symbol of farsightedness of our forefathers and a matter of great pride for us, their posterity. The Zeliangrong Union maintains all the chronology of the nomenclatures of the body, list of Presidents, Vice Presidents, General Secretaries and Secretaries right from the "Agangmei", from 1925 onward till date, on the Board in the Union Office. The history and documents relating to formation of the frontal organisations like the ZYF, ZSU, ZWO are recorded. The role played by the Union in the Naga movement for public interest was appreciated.

Your "Referendum or Public opinion poll" was a failure and a sham in comparison to the great conventions held by the Union from time to time.

The Zeliangrong Union never misused the public platform; in fact it is the Zeliangrong Baudi which has been misusing the public forum to campaign for their wrong cause of "apex" body. How could the Ningtangpou's Baudi established in 2007 become the apex body. How could the Zeliangrong Baudi (Raitu Chawang) become the apex body in lieu of the Zeliangrong Union which is hallowed by the sacrifice of our forefathers.

The Zeliangrong Baudi is shamelessly advertising the Office of the ZU as their address. You must know that the ZU is recorded in the Court Proceedings as the owner of the plot and Building as the care-taker of the people.

The ZU appreciates the initiative of Mr. TR Zeliang (Nagaland Chief Minister) to smooth out the differences between our organizations for unity. But, what the Baudi has done in response to that move.

Lastly, is the Zeliangrong Union which has been continuously working to meet every problem of the Zeliangrong public - in such matter as conflict between our national workers, between villages, murder, rape, kidnapping and so on. The ZU has been doing these for the last 90 years.

We are not interested any more in giving rejoinder to your release.

(K. Poushinglung is Executive Secretary, ZU(AMN)