Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19:
Taking a very serious note of the total disregard shown the traditional shawl (Khiangkawi) of the Vaipheis by ZRA cadres, the United Socialist Revolutionary Army today said that the action of the ZRA cadres tantamounts to disregard and contempt of the Vaipheis.
In a statement, the outfit said that on October 23 last year, the ZRA cadres invaded its base camp at Umtal in southern CCpur and a gun fight ensued.
To avoid causing casualties on the ZRA cadres, the USRA men retreated, said the statement and added that later the ZRA cadres tore their traditional shawl.
To denounce the blasphemous act, the USRA warned the Vaiphei tribe not to take part in the coming Zomi Namni celebration and added that "As our tribe identity have been challenged, USRA believes the Vaipheis need not submerge themselves in the so called community 'Zomi.'"
The USRA also appealed to the Vaiphei people not to hoist the Vaiphei traditional cloth at the celebration days as demanded by the organising committee.




