DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 11 (MExN): In reply to the SMS received by Namrikiu Zeliang, Midan Peyu, Zeliang Region, FGN, by a ‘Sema Kilonsor’ of the NSCN (IM), NNC clarified the history of Manglumukh that it truly belonged to the Zelaing people. The press statement disclosed that the SMS had been sent saying that Manglumukh is a Kachari and Miya land and that the Zeliangs cannot establish villages in the area.
The NNC brought out the facts of history saying that the Kacharis are related to the Meiteis of Manipur. This racial relationship is clearly evident in their common religion (Vaisnivaism), their similar culture, dress and customs, it stated. The release went on to add that many centuries ago, the Kacharis had asked the Zeliang ancestors for settlement lands with the offer of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence to which land was offered and they subsequently established the Kachari kingdom on the banks of the Dhansiri river.
The NNC pointed out that somewhere in the 15th and 16th centuries, this Dimasha kingdom had come under severe attack from the Ahom kingdom which was established in Assam in the 13th century. Unable to withstand this superior and unrelenting attack from the Ahoms, the Kacharis are said to have again fled to the North Kacha Hills where again the Zeliang forefathers gave them refuge and lands for them to settle down.
“These are the facts of history as far as Zeliang-Kachari relationship is concerned. I am sure Kachari elders and historians also know these facts. The same facts also can be verified from the British colonial records” stated the Midan Piyu.
Again on the word ‘Manglumukh’, Namrikiu stated that it is in fact a distortion of the word ‘Mangloimuk’ which in Zeliang language means the name of the river Dhansiri which has its source from the Peren sub-division. In Zeliang dialect, the word Mangloimuk is said to mean “The lands where the river Mangloi flows.” It also challenger the declaration of Miya in the Jalukie Zangdi and Manglumukh areas belonging to saying that the Kilonser would never find any historical records that some ancestors of the Miyas (Bangladeshis) ever had a kingdom in these Zeliang lands.
Finally, Namkrikiu said that whether Zeliang lands or Angami lands or Sema lands, all these lands are “Naga Lands” and as a national worker, he wondered how the Kilonser was ready to cede ancient Naga lands to Kacharis and Miyas. “Are you a Kilonser holding office to defend Naga lands or cede and surrender Naga lands to others?’ the Kionsor was questioned.
