Dimapur, April 15 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Baudi (N), which is one of the apex bodies of the Zeliangrong people, expressed its displeasure over the Ntangki National Park imbroglio, and declared that the notion that the Zeliang and the Sumis were bordering neighbours is nothing but to create confusion among the Zeliangrong people and far from the truth.
A press release received here from the vice president of the Zeliangrong Baudi (N), Raitu Elu, while expressing its displeasure over the Ntangki National Park problem, stated the present Ntangki issue is a problem which was created not by the Zeliangs of Assam or Manipur or Nagaland but solely a Zeliang village dispute which arose when some Sumis intruded into the district of Peren.
It rubbished the notion that the Zeliangs and Sumis were neighbours and stated that the Zeliangs of Nagaland has no record of boundary with the Sumis except the Angamis. In this regard, the Baudi cautioned that any attempt to disintegrate Zeliangrong people will be just an act of inviting communal problem. It reiterated that the idea that the Zeliangrong and Sumi people were neighbours is nothing but to create commotion among the Zeliangrong and is far from the truth.
The Baudi also cautioned that the political boundary between the Zeliangrong people which divides them into three states of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur should not be construed that the Zeliangrong people are divided and that the Zeliangrong of Assam or Manipur have no say over their own people in the state affairs.
“Our integrity and oneness cannot be disintegrated by state political boundaries not their unity affected by distance” stated the release and added that it is the sole responsibility of the Zeliangrong people to protect and defend every bit and corner of their land at all cost.
The release also clearly pointed out that the land in question, the Ntangki National Park, is absolutely owned by Zeliangrong people and given to the care and trust of Beisumpui of Zeliangrong village.
‘The name Ntangki itself proves the original belonging of Zeliangrong as they are the names of rivers and streams manifested in the notification issued during 1923 and 1927 respectively’ informed the release.
While giving a brief highlight of the Ntangki National Park issue, the Baudi informed that the ZLR Baudi have submitted enough representations to the state and central government and also to the GPRN-NSCN. However, it lamented that the government did turn a deaf ear to the representations which have resulted in more harm than good.
The release also lamented that the GPRN-NSCN (the release did not mention which faction) in its National Hoho Assembly in 1996 resolved and declared Ntangki and Rangapahar forests and national property, which has ‘caused problems and fuelled to communal misunderstanding’.
It asserted that the on the pretext of ‘declamation’, the Sumis took advantage and intruded into the district of Zeliangrong people.
The Baudi reminded that the ‘silence and long toleration of the Zeliangrong people have been taken for granted as right-less or the land as no man’s land’, however, the apex Zeliangrong body, was making ‘this clarification once and for all so as we Nagas know and respect each other right to land property as per Naga customary practices’.
The release made a point that the members of the Zeliangrong People General Assembly held on April 3, 2007 at Jalukie Town Hall expressed displeasure over the situation and indifference of the concerned authorities in regard to protecting the national park and resolved to resort to launching a non-cooperation movement against the state and the GPRN-NSCN if the concerned authority do not deliver justice in due time. The house questioned the state government’s failure to preserve and execute actions against the encroachers and in this regards, resolved to give an ultimatum of one month to the government to take necessary action to claim and preserve the park.
It further made a point that if Naga integrity is to be upheld, the age old traditional ownership of the land should be respected, and urged the Nagas to value morality and ethical principles above ‘human wants and greed.’
The release reminded that the survival of the Nagas is impossible when morality is debased and covetousness takes the lead in the society. ‘Let us enthrone justice and dethrone injustice,’ it appealed.
