Imphal, February 07: Categorically stating that camp Hebron, where the NSCN (IM) has opened its General Headquarters, is the ancestral land of the Zeliangrong people, the Chairman of the Zeliangrong Region of the NSCN (K), M Roganing has asked the NSCN (IM) group to shift their camp somewhere else.

Speaking to a group of media persons somewhere at Senapati district today, the Chairman charged the NSCN (IM) of penetrating into the lands of the Zeliangrong and forcibly occupying it.

Maintaining that Camp Hebron falls within Ntangki forest of Zeliangrong region, the Chairman said that the NSCN (IM) has destroyed a vast tract of virgin forest to set up their camp without consulting the land owners.

Naga customary law requires that the consent of the land owners should first be obtained before taking over the land by any organisation, said the Chairman and added that instead of seeking the consent of the land owners, the IM group declared a large portion of Ntangki forest as Naga National Park, as if the land belongs to them.

Declaring that the NSCN (K) will continue to fight for the people, land and property, the Chairman said that the NSCN (IM) should relinquish all interests "on our lands and leave us alone or else we shall not remain mute spectators.

The Camp Hebron, the Ghqs should be shifted immediately elsewhere".

Accusing the NSCN (IM) of short changing the Zeliangrong people, Roganing said that the IM group has been distorting the history of the Naga people and has totally ignored the contributions of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu and a host of other Zeliangrong freedom fighters.

The IM group may come out with all sort of allegations like Rani Gaidinliu was honoured with a Padma Bhushan but the fact of the matter is that the Rani was honoured for fighting against the British, said the NSCN (K) leader and added that India bestowed her the Padma Bhushan because she fought against the British, just like the Indians did.

Citing examples, the outfit said that veteran Hindi film actor Dilip Kumar was honoured by Pakistan but that did not make him a Pakistani citizen.

The Chairman asserted that the Zeliangrong people do not care whether the IM group gives due recognition to the Zeliangrong patriots or not but maintained that history is history and nothing should be done to distort it.

Elaborating, the NSCN (K) leader said that the strong resistance put up by Haipou Jadonang in 1927 was recorded by the Britishers and left them unnerved and detailed how the then DC of Kohima, JP Mills reported the matter to Lord Robert Reid, the then Governor of Assam.

The Governor then passed on the information to the Viceroy of India and ultimately reached England.

It was after receiving this input that the Simon Commission visited the Naga hills in 1929, said Ragoning and questioned why such an epoch making event has been ignored by the IM group.

Even during the days of the NNC in 1950s and 1960s, the Zeliangrong region, better known as the 7th Province of Nagaland, fought for freedom and suffered all the perils of military operations, said the outfit.

Sounding a stern warning, Ragoning said that the NSCN (K) will defend the rights of the Naga people and the Zeliangrong Region will not tolerate any subjugation perpetrated by fellow Nagas.

On the current peace talk between the IM group and the Govt of India, Ragoning said that there is no transparency on the part of the IM group and the Govt of India.

"We have seen in the past how countries or Nations talked of political matters openly allowing the interested people to give their opinion and share their thoughts.

NSCN (IM) should not disgrace the Naga Nation by surrendering the question of sovereignty," added Ragoning.

Giving a brief history of the Zeliangrong people as well as the people of Chinese or Indo-Burman Tibeto groups, the Chairman said that these groups originated from China.

These ethnic groups, including the Naga people escaped to the present region from the Great Wall of China in 210 BC to escape the tyranny of Emperor Siuangti.

The Naga people passed through various places till they gathered at Makhel (Near Tadubi and Sajuba), said Ragoning and added that they dispersed to different directions from that place.

The Zeliangrong people migrated to Ramting Kabiu (Maram) and from there they settled at Makuilongdi (Chawang Phungning area), said the Chairman and added that Zeliangrong people then occupied a compact area of the present Peren district of Nagaland, Tamenglong district of Manipur, parts of North Cachar Hills in Assam and other places.

The Meiteis are closely affiliated to the Zeliangrong people and together they migrated to Maikuilongdi, he said.

Then they settled at Kabuiliu (now Koubru), believed to be the abode of God or place or worship, said the Chairman.

The Meiteis later settled at the valley areas of Manipur.

The Zeliangrong people, as descendants of a common ancestor cannot be separated by any outside influence, asserted Ragoning and cautioned the people to be on guard against any vested interest elements who may try to sow seeds of distrust and animosity.

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