Apropos to the news item published in 12th July issues of the local dailies wherein the so called Zeliang People Organisation (ZPO) threatened to boycott the Independence Day celebration in Peren district while also seeking review of the government’s decision on recognition of Rongmei as 17th tribe of Nagaland state, the undersigned on behalf of Land Owner Villages viz Jalukie and Lamhai Dungki, would like to state that the proposed boycott of Independence day celebration in Peren district in lieu of the state government recognition of Rongmei as tribe of Nagaland state is purely prejudiced, discriminatory, politically motivated and is only an attempt to disturb the peaceful co-existence of the Zeliangrong brothers in Peren district.
The recognition of Rongmei as indigenous inhabitant and as one of the 17th tribe of Nagaland is there legitimate rights and is being welcomed by the land owner villages and has appreciated the decision of state government as we have invited all Zeliangrong brothers from elsewhere including Dimapur and Kohima to established villages and township in Jalukie way back in 1965 as per Zeliangrong traditions and customary practices.
Therefore, we have no objection to the decision of the state government giving due indigenous right to Rongmei community who are living in Nagaland state, basically in Kohima (Naga Bazaar) and Dimapur (Burma Camp) prior to 1963 as per govt. notification 1997 and recognized them as a tribe of Nagaland state. How can one deny indigenous rights if their ancestors had settled in Dimapur and Kohima prior to 1963 and migrated to Peren district in 1965 or later? As such, their indigenous rights stand valid elsewhere in Nagaland and should be respected by every Naga including leaders of the so called ZPO and should welcome the much belated decision of the state government.
We the landowner also strongly felt that once we have invited someone to our land to settle down through traditional and customary practices, it is a sin to deny or withdraw the committed relationship and if we do so, it is discriminatory and we will only be inviting God’s wrath. As such, the so called ZPO calling for boycott of Independence Day in Peren without the consent of land owner is baseless and politically motivated.
In the light of the above context, the leaders of ZPO is requested not to create any unbecoming situation out of the non-issue but rather cooperate and render magnanimity in the interest of Zeliangrong people and withdraw the proposed boycott of Independence Day, failing which the organization or individual concerned will be doing at their risk and the land owner villages will not be held responsible for any eventuality.
Yours faithfully,
Haibamo
Chairman,
Lamhai Village Council
Namgong
Chairman,
Dungki Village Council
Hainkieng
Chairman,
Old Jalukie Village Council
