Dimapur, September 7 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Students’ Union Delhi (ZSUD) today strongly condemns the August 28 incident in which the cadres belonging to the NSCN (IM) faction razed the houses belong to the Jalukie Zangdi village, under Peren district and supported the demand made by the Zeliangrong people to the NSCN (IM).
A press communiqué issued by the ZSUD General Secretary Grace Pamai and Vice President Thuiriang Panmei, while condemning the incident reiterates the demand of the Zeliangrong people.
The ZSUD demanded the immediate termination of the three NSCN (IM) officials who are responsible for the arson, immediate withdrawal and rectification of NSCN (IM) Chairman Isaac Chisi Swu’s ‘Acknowledgement Letter dated 30th May 2007 wherein it is mentioned that the land for the General Headquarter (GHQ) has been donated by Shikavi village’ and immediate withdrawal of the GPRN’s Order, ‘which mistakenly declared that Jalukie Zangdi village belongs to the Mias and Kacharis’.
The Union appeals to every right thinking individuals and organizations to condemn the barbaric act of the pseudo national workers who are responsible for inciting and creating communal tension. The ZSUD also strongly condemns the unwarranted use of force on unarmed peaceful rallyists by the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) resorting to blank firing, lathi-charges and use of tear gas, etc. to intimidate the Zeliangrong public who were organizing a protest rally to express their resentment over the August 28 incident, said the communiqué.
The ZSUD opined that any disputes can be sorted out through mutual understanding and deliberations.
“This kind of highly undemocratic and barbaric act is a threat to the unity and integrity of the Nagas” the communiqué said. The ZSUD also strongly condemned any steps that would take away Naga territories to shelter non-Nagas and added that the Zeliangrong people will not tolerate any form of forceful encroachment upon their ancestral land by anyone.
The ZSUD supported the view shared by the Angami Public Organisation (APO) recently that since time immemorial no other tribe ever existed between the territories of the Angamis and the Zeliangrongs. “The Zeliangrong people will keep a close vigilance on any vested groups with sinister designs over their territory,” the communiqué said.
The ZSUD also vehemently condemned any attempt to encroach upon Intangki Forest which has been declared as a National Park by the Nagas.
In this regard, the ZSUD condemned the “provocative statement of the Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) that demarcation of boundaries can be carried out as far as the victorious party can conquer”. “Does this mean that the WSYF is trying to conquer the Zeliangrong lands through might and muscle power? Such provocative statements are not expected from a responsible tribe such as the Sumis,” the communiqué said and added that if such brazenly forceful encroachment on their land is pursued further by anyone, the Zeliangrong people shall not remain mute spectators but take all necessary measures to protect and preserve their rights.
In this connection, the ZSUD appealed to all Zeliangrong Naga national workers to protect and uphold the rights, liberties and properties of their people, failing which they should be prepared to resign on moral grounds. “The Union also calls upon all Zeliangrong people to be always vigilant and stand united” the communiqué appealed.
The ZSUD also appealed to the NSCN (IM) collective leadership to immediately dispense justice and take necessary measures so that such unfortunate incidents do not recur in future, saying that such shortsighted programmes/actions of the NSCN would lead to loss of trust in the national workers which ultimately will hamper the Naga national struggle.
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