Morung Express News
Peren | October 14
Nagaland Minister for Election, National Highway & Mechanical Engineering, Nuklutoshi Longkumer today stated that while other societies and civilizations are marching forward, Naga society on the other hand is going “backward.” The Minister said the main reason why Nagas are going backward is because Naga people tend to divide themselves along tribal lines and they do not want to recognize each other.
Citing the case of the United States, Nuklutoshi claimed the US has emerged as the most powerful nation because American society does not discriminate or distinguish its citizens along class, racial or religious lines. On the other hand, he said though Naga tribes have been living together for centuries, yet they fail to recognize each other. Addressing the inaugural programme of the general conference of Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland (ZBN) at Beisumpuikam Village on Friday, the Minister said the need of the hour is “peace and unity” if Nagas are to have a future.
Nuklutoshi also said the only way out to secure the future of the Naga people is for Nagas to unite and seek for political solution at the earliest. Alluding to the ‘Framework Agreement’, he said if Nagas do not grab the opportune moment, then hope of a solution to the Naga problem may not come again even after a hundred years.
The Minister cautioned that once solution eludes the Nagas, then problems created by thousands of educated unemployed Naga youths would dwarf the present problems associated with the Naga political groups.
Calling the Zeliangrong people a blessed tribe among the Nagas, he said the Zelaingrong land is bequeathed with ideal topography, mineral resources and fertile valleys and hills. He called upon the Zeliangrong community to stay united and also be messengers of “peace and unity.”
Resource person of the conference, Idailung Thou, NPSC member, who spoke on the topic “Structuring common political vision” said the nomenclature of the Zeliangrong community is not political or man-made but that the brotherhood of Zeliangrong community is a gift of God.
Idailung said whereas Nagas as a whole remained silent when a minority community settled in land bequeathed by the Zeliangrongs in Nagaland was given recognition by the state government, now a section of Naga people are staunchly opposing recognition of Rongmei, who are blood brothers of the Zeliang community in Nagaland.
For equitable progress, Thou said unity should be practiced in letter and spirit and not merely lip service. He said the aim of political activity should be development. Everyone should shoulder equal responsibility, he stated while adding that shifting of responsibility would kill the Naga cause.
Stating that sustaining economy and development should be the political vision, he said ‘Building together’ (the theme of the conference) should be the political vision particularly for the Zeliangrong community.
President, ZBN, Rangsam N Hau, in his presidential address said the Zeliangrong people are presently confronted with many issues and apart from problems within, there are many external forces and elements trying to sow the seeds of discord among the Zeliangrong people. Hau also pointed out that the Zeliangrong People Convention movement for Zeliangrong homeland, one of the earliest political movements in the region, was kept in abeyance keeping the larger interest of the Nagas.
“However, forgetting this genuine sacrifice that the Zeliangrong people made, some elements are trying to sideline our legitimate legal rights specially in connection with derecognizing the Rongmeis as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland. The Zeliangrong people cannot and will not accept this as a solution, because it will mean putting the future of our children and generation thereafter at stake”, he said.
The ZBN president further said that if the present trend of “discrimination and deprivation of our basic rights of brotherhood by our own Naga brothers and the government continues, the Zeliangrong people will be left with no other option, but to start the Zeliangrong People Convention movement afresh.”
Naga Hoho Vice President, HK Zhimomi, in his solidarity message said even as the Naga Hoho is trying its best to integrate all Naga inhabited areas, there are some forces bent on sowing the seed of division among Naga brethrens.
