Chairman of the proscribed Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF), S. Kamson greets the people of the state on occasion of the 83rd Death Anniversary of Haipou Jadonang. State government is also all set to commemorate the day at Jadonang Park.In a lengthy press statement the chairman of the ZUF recalled the revolutionary spirit of Haipou Jadonang who had sacrificed for the cause of the people’s freedom. He said Haipou Jadonang was mercilessly executed on 29th August, 1931 by the British Colonial Government.The statement further said that Haipou Jadonang stood up against all odds and fought the mighty British colonial power to ensure that the Zeliangrongs and other indigenous people in the region will not be subject to exploitation and subjugation by alien rulers. His famous slogan, ‘Makaam meirui gwang tupuni’, roughly interpreted as the sons of the soil will rule has been an inspiration to all indigenous people in North Eastern region. Jadonang’s movement aimed to end the British rule and establish the ‘self-rule’ of the Nagas described by the British as ‘Naga Raj’ movement. It attracted large number of followers from the Zeliangrong Nagas and other kin tribes. He fought against theBritish policies of forced labour, imposition of tax, forced subscription and various other forms of exploitation.The statement further said, one of the most worthy noted persons who was greatly inspired byHaipou Jadonang was Rani Gaidinliu. She took up the mantle of leadership after Haipou Jadonang was executed by the British colonial government. But later on she was also arrested by the British forces in 1932 and sentenced her to life imprisonment. After her release from Jail she earnestly began to work again for the integration of the Zeliangrong people into a single Administrative Unit. However, she went underground again because of the threat she received from Naga National Council (NNC) during that period. With the active intervention of the Government of India, she came out from her jungle hideout again in 1966 and thereafter she had been consistently demanding a separate Administrative Unit for her Zeliangrong people.Having seen that independent India continues the old policies of British colonial government in many respects, the Zeliangrong Peoples’Convention was formed on 11th October, 1980 under the leadership of Rani Gaidinliu with the sole aim to demand Zeliangrong State/Homeland, the statement added.As a follow up, Memoranda were submitted to the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi and other succeeding Prime Ministers to grant Zeliangrong State/Homeland. After much mobilization, the ZPC solemnly declared 30th November, 1982 as the ‘Zeliangrong Homeland Demand Day’. The movement for Zeliangrong State/Homeland under Rani Gaidinliu continued till her last breath. After her death, the 7th Convention/Conference of ZPC was held at Peren Town on 28th May, 1993 and passed the historic Resolutions (Nos. 1 and 4) to reaffirm and intensify the ZPC movement for Zeliangrong State/Homeland and also authorized the ZPC Youth Front to launch a movement and take up appropriate measures for realization of Zeliangrong State/Homeland. Meanwhile, due to interference by some anti-Zeliangrong elements, the movement was unwillingly kept in abeyance for about two decades keeping in mind the larger interest of the Nagas. However, the last two decades turned out to be a nightmare for the Zeliangrong people. Instead of consolidating our position or getting the elusive Nagas solution, the Zeliangrong people, land and their resources have come under serious threat. The latest being, a big portion of our lands have been compromised in N.C. Hills to appease the Dimasas. And there are threats in other Zeliangrong areas as well. Oil explorations are going on in Zeliangrong areas without the consent of the people. Tipaimuk Dam which is being constructed against the wishes of the Zeliangrongs and other affected people in the region and attempts to illegally settle in Intangki Reserved Forest, Nagaland etc. are matters of great concern to the Zeliangrong people.The Zelianrong people are fully convinced that as long as they are held under the present political dispensations of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, their concerns and interest will never be addressed to by the respective states. Therefore, on this Martyr’s Day I appeal to the Government of India to seriously consider the legitimate and genuine demand of the Zeliangrong people and grant Zeliangrong State at the earliest. In this regard, the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) had earlier submitted a Memorandum on 18th April, 2013 with a demand to grant ZeliangrongState and ensure that the long cherished dream of Rani Gaidinliu and the Zeliangrong people to have a separate State is realized once and for all.Kamson also appeal to fellow ethnic communities in North East India to cooperate with us in realizing the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrong people. It is our firm belief that the creation of a separate State for the Zeliangrongs will benefit other communities in the region as this will bring about socio-economic and political equilibrium in the region.This is also a sincere appeal to all the national and political parties in India, media, intellectuals, civil society bodies, the people of North East India and all other people who have concerns for the welfare and development of marginalized communities to extend their full cooperation to the democratic and rightful aspiration of the Zeliangrong people to have a separate State.
