The Zeliang People's Organisation is compelled to issue a clarification regarding the organization so as the Naga people are properly enlightened in the light of a recent press release issued by the so-called Media Cell of ZPO supporting the tribes which are against the recognition of Rongmei as a Naga tribe. This itself is bizarre considering the fact that the ZPO had, on September 10, 2010, written to the Government of Nagaland declaring that it had no objection to the recognition of the Rongmei community as a Naga tribe in Nagaland.
However, be that as it may, the ZPO headed by our respected late leader Mr Azu Newmai, could not function in accordance with the wishes and expectations of the people and went moribund after some years except for an occasional press release or so. One of the meetings held at Peren Town Hall on August 5, 2010 witnessed unruly scenes when the public expressed their utmost displeasure in a violent manner, and the proposed meeting could not take place.
The Zeme Council, the apex tribal body of the Zeme Nagas, held a meeting on December 13, 2012 and decided to form a Zeliang People's Organisation in consultation with the Liangmai Nagas. The Liangmai Council, too, held a meeting on May 10, 2013 and also resolved likewise. Accordingly, a joint meeting of the two Councils (Zeme and Liangmai) was organized on. June 7, 2013 and a decision to form an organization was formally resolved and an Electoral College comprising of all recognized and unrecognized Zeliang Naga village council's chairmen under Peren district, including the Presidents of the Zeme and Liangmai Councils, was set up. Mr D Abraham was selected as Convenor, Akuna HC as Secretary and Mr Pingkam and Mr Wipibo as members. Later on, representatives of the defunct ZPO, namely, Mr Azu Newmai, Mr Kingim Kulimbe and Mr Itingtiebe were included as members of the Election Commission for the purpose of electing the office bearers of the proposed Public organization.
At the general meeting at Jalukie Town on June 21, 2013, which was attended by 72 Village Council Chairmen in Peren district, Mr Kiezin was duly elected as President and Mr Kerang Dumta as General Secretary along with several other leaders to hold the various posts of the Organisation. Thereafter, ZPO had been functioning smoothly till date.
Considering all these, we the office bearers of the ZPO formed by the Zeliang people, would like to request the people not to be misled by press releases issued without any genuine name, and hiding behind the secrecy of Media Cell. We would also like to request the newspapers not to entertain such press releases which are issued without proper designation and identity in future. We would also like to point out that our organization, which was formed by the mandate of the public of Peren district is called Zeliang People's Organisation, and there is no dispute among the established Zeme and Liangmai Councils of Nagaland, and the statements of such self-styled organizations which exist without public mandate should not confuse the Naga people.
Kerang Dumtta General Secretary
