Dimapur, March 7 (MExN): Statements continue in the media over the reported clash at Khoupum in Manipur between a group called the ‘Zeliangrong United Front’ (ZUF) and the NSCN (IM) on March 5 that left one dead. The Zeliangrong Students’ Union of Delhi (ZSUD) has denounced the clash while the Zeliangrong region of NSCN (IM) has denounced the ZUF.
The union has set a number of demands. That the NSCN (IM) take strong disciplinary action “against the perpetrators; that the NSCN (IM) come out with a detailed report of the shooting incident within a month from the date of incident;
“If the NSCN (IM) fails to provide justice acceptable to the Zeliangrong people within the stipulated time, we shall be compelled to conclude that our quest for peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and justice will not be delivered and that we will not restrain ourselves to reconsider our support and commitment to this/these organizations”.
The ZSUD expressed disheartenment at the “violent conflict involving a gun battle at Khoupum, Nungba Sub-Division, Tamenglong district, Manipur between the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and NSCN (I-M) on 5th March 2011 resulting in the death of one Zeliangrong youth and many casualties.”
The ZSUD issued a statement in this regard today. It condemned the “premeditated violence” in the Zeliangrong areas by any individual or organization when there is an ongoing cease fire agreement and reconciliation process among the Naga organizations.
The union said the NSCN (IM) had issued a deadline March 10 to the ZUF cadres to surrender. “Notwithstanding such deadline, the NSCN (IM) cadres unilaterally resorted to a shoot-out. Such arbitrary action ruled out the opportunities for the Zeliangrong civil societies to intervene, mediate and bring about a peaceful resolution to the standoff,” the ZSUD stated.
The union also lamented as unfortunate that “some Naga armed cadres” prevented the Zeliangrong people from taking out a peace rally in Tamenglong is very unfortunate.
“That, the three warring factions of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NNC had a meeting to conduct a joint offensive against the newly floated group of the Zeliangrong people, even as it chose to ignore other Naga militant groups which have sprung up earlier in other Naga areas and no actions of such kind have been taken against them so far.”
The union queried why the “Zeliangrong people” should be “singled out and punitive actions initiated against the Zeliangrongs alone?”
This is unexpected from an organization who claims to be working for the cause of the Naga people and “we want fair play and justice,” the union said.
In addition, the Zeliangrong region of the NSCN (IM) issued a note today. The organization called it unfortunate that “a section of some armed persons” formed a group on February 25 called the ZUF. The NSCN (IM) denounced the ZUF stating that the latter is not a “mandated” group of the Zeliangrong. “No frontal organization of Zeliangrong neither students’ union nor youth front nor baudi nor union nor women organizations nor any Zeliangrong social leaders have awareness of their newly formed group or so called front,” the note from the group’s Zeliangrong region stated.
The organization has denounced the ZUF “who are organizing with arms to bring back the bloodshed culture in the land in the pretext for protecting the tradition and land boundaries without any mandate.”
The group has assured to “drive out such type of group who are against the interest of the people and the national principle even in the futures to come.”
The union has set a number of demands. That the NSCN (IM) take strong disciplinary action “against the perpetrators; that the NSCN (IM) come out with a detailed report of the shooting incident within a month from the date of incident;
“If the NSCN (IM) fails to provide justice acceptable to the Zeliangrong people within the stipulated time, we shall be compelled to conclude that our quest for peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and justice will not be delivered and that we will not restrain ourselves to reconsider our support and commitment to this/these organizations”.
The ZSUD expressed disheartenment at the “violent conflict involving a gun battle at Khoupum, Nungba Sub-Division, Tamenglong district, Manipur between the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and NSCN (I-M) on 5th March 2011 resulting in the death of one Zeliangrong youth and many casualties.”
The ZSUD issued a statement in this regard today. It condemned the “premeditated violence” in the Zeliangrong areas by any individual or organization when there is an ongoing cease fire agreement and reconciliation process among the Naga organizations.
The union said the NSCN (IM) had issued a deadline March 10 to the ZUF cadres to surrender. “Notwithstanding such deadline, the NSCN (IM) cadres unilaterally resorted to a shoot-out. Such arbitrary action ruled out the opportunities for the Zeliangrong civil societies to intervene, mediate and bring about a peaceful resolution to the standoff,” the ZSUD stated.
The union also lamented as unfortunate that “some Naga armed cadres” prevented the Zeliangrong people from taking out a peace rally in Tamenglong is very unfortunate.
“That, the three warring factions of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NNC had a meeting to conduct a joint offensive against the newly floated group of the Zeliangrong people, even as it chose to ignore other Naga militant groups which have sprung up earlier in other Naga areas and no actions of such kind have been taken against them so far.”
The union queried why the “Zeliangrong people” should be “singled out and punitive actions initiated against the Zeliangrongs alone?”
This is unexpected from an organization who claims to be working for the cause of the Naga people and “we want fair play and justice,” the union said.
In addition, the Zeliangrong region of the NSCN (IM) issued a note today. The organization called it unfortunate that “a section of some armed persons” formed a group on February 25 called the ZUF. The NSCN (IM) denounced the ZUF stating that the latter is not a “mandated” group of the Zeliangrong. “No frontal organization of Zeliangrong neither students’ union nor youth front nor baudi nor union nor women organizations nor any Zeliangrong social leaders have awareness of their newly formed group or so called front,” the note from the group’s Zeliangrong region stated.
The organization has denounced the ZUF “who are organizing with arms to bring back the bloodshed culture in the land in the pretext for protecting the tradition and land boundaries without any mandate.”
The group has assured to “drive out such type of group who are against the interest of the people and the national principle even in the futures to come.”
