Dimapur, August 2 (MExN): The Zeliang People’s Organisation (ZPO) and Zeliang Students’ Union (ZSU) have affirmed that the "fate of Zeliangs can only be decided by the Zeliangs" and no other organisations have the right to interfere in the affairs of the "indigenous inhabitants" of the district.
The two organisations, who claimed to be the “Apex Body” of Peren district held a joint emergency meeting at town hall, Peren on July 29 last. The ZPO and ZSU in a note addressed to the Chief Minister & President of Nagaland Education Mission Society, issued by the ZPO President Azu Newmai, ZPO General Secretary Haigam Kauring and ZSU President Kiesamyi Iranggaung claimed that the Minister of Planning & Coordination T R Zeliang instigated a “handful individuals to rise up against the appointment order and hence, they condemned the act of the Minster.
“TR Zeliang, who wants to remove the backward tag from Zeliang Tribe, is against development and welfare of the indigenous Zeliangs. As such the Zeliangs disowned him for betraying his people,” the note stated.
The organisations also stated that in the event of cancellation of the order by the government upon the pressure of vested interest, the organisations or persons involved will be held responsible for any consequences. Both ZPO and ZSU have requested the Chief Minister in the note not to cancel or revoke the order of the appointment of the teachers.
Moreover, the Organisations have appealed to the government to create more teachers' posts for Peren district as per the norms and criteria of the government at the earliest. They firmly believe that education is still the backbone of the every society and the Government ought to fully acknowledge and initiate such activities.
The note also mentioned that the house in the meeting appreciated the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Minister of Education Nyeiwang Konyak, MLA Tarei Zeliang, Mission Director of SSA Angau I Thou for appointing the teachers facilitating in "bringing the Zeliangs in particular and the district at large at par with the rest of the State educationally".
