The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur sees the split of the Zeliangrong Baudi from the Zeliangrong Union, as detrimental to the collective interests, unity and fraternity.
1. Background
The division within the Zeliangrong community, following the split of the Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) from the parent organisation, the Zeliangrong Union (ZU), in 2010, became a major source of misunderstanding, confusion and disunity among the kindred ‘Hanah’ tribes of the Makuiluangdi descendants. Following the split, both the Zeliangrong Union and the Zeliangrong Baudi claimed apex-body status, leaving the constituent tribes and their respective councils in a difficult position regarding which organisation to recognise and support.
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur (LNC), viewed this division as detrimental to the collective interests, unity and fraternity of the kindred tribes. Rather than aligning itself with either faction, the Liangmai leadership considered it necessary to remain outside both organisations until the differences could be reconciled and the two bodies brought together under a single, unified and inclusive platform.
This position was never intended as a rejection of ancestral brotherhood or the shared heritage of the Makuiluangdi descendants, but arose from the conviction that two competing organisations claiming to represent the same people would only perpetuate division, mistrust and confusion. The persistent allegations, counter-allegations and disputes between the Zeliangrong Union and the Zeliangrong Baudi had further deepened social discord and weakened fraternal bonds among the constituent tribes. Recognising the gravity of the situation, the Liangmai leadership, alongside the other kindred tribes, undertook sincere efforts to facilitate dialogue, reconcile the differences and restore unity.
2. Formation of the ‘Joint Working Committee’ and Efforts towards Reconciliation (Imphal)
A joint meeting of the presidents of the Zeme Naga Council, Liangmai Naga Council, Rongmei Naga Council and Inpui Union, along with leaders of their respective church associations, was held on 30 August 2010 at Nagaram Community Hall, Imphal. The meeting resolved to constitute an intermediary body, known as the Joint Working Committee, comprising the four communities, with the mandate of bridging the differences between the Zeliangrong Union and Zeliangrong Baudi and facilitating their reconciliation in the interest of the Makuiluangdi descendants. The Committee subsequently held consultations with former office-bearers of the Zeliangrong Union, intellectuals and community leaders, and visited Tamei, Tamenglong and Noney headquarters to seek the views of the Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Inpui communities. The consultations reflected a common desire to dissolve the two parallel organisations and establish a single, strong and inclusive body representing the collective interests of the Makuiluangdi descendants.
Following these consultations, the Committee approached the leadership of both ZU and ZB to initiate negotiations and resolve their differences in the interest of social harmony. Accordingly, a joint meeting was scheduled for 7 September 2013 at Tarung Community Hall, Imphal. However, the deliberate absence of both the Presidents of the ZU and the ZB thwarted the scheduled meeting, thereby frustrating the reconciliation efforts and undermining the very objective of the Joint Working Committee.
3. Decisions of the Joint Councils Meeting, 22 September 2015 (Dimapur)
A joint meeting of the councils representing the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei tribes, along with representatives of the three regions of Ashalu, Makuiluangdi and Zailad, was held on 22 September 2015 at Hotel Saramati Hall, Dimapur, Nagaland. Among the key matters deliberated, the meeting recognised the need to restructure the existing organisational framework to ensure distinct and autonomous representation of the three tribes within common and apex tribal organisations, in due recognition of their separate Scheduled Tribe status accorded by the Government of India and their respective distinct tribal identities.
Accordingly, the meeting proposed that a common organisation representing the three tribes be established on the model of a tribal federation, with appropriate representation for each constituent tribe (4th para). The proposal sought to establish an inclusive organisational framework that would preserve the distinct identity and interests of each tribe while providing a common platform to strengthen their shared historical, ancestral and fraternal ties.
4. Liangmai Naga Peoples’ Convention, 9 October 2015 (Konsaram)
The Liangmai Naga Peoples’ Convention was held on 9 October 2015 at Konsaram. Its deliberations and declarations were consistent with the broader concerns expressed at the Joint Meeting held in Dimapur on 22 September 2015. The Convention adopted five declarations. Under Declaration No. 3, the Convention resolved to uphold the distinct recognition and use of the name ‘Liangmai’ in accordance with its separate Scheduled Tribe status in Manipur. It accordingly resolved to approach the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Naga tribes in Manipur, seeking distinct recognition and representation of the Liangmai tribe in its official nomenclature, representations and communications, rather than being subsumed under the collective nomenclature ‘Zeliangrong’.
The declaration further affirmed the Liangmai people's independent organisational identity and position of non-affiliation with any Zeliangrong organisation. At the same time, the Convention expressed the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur’s support for establishing a common apex social organisation representing the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme tribes on a federal basis, founded on distinct tribal identities and equitable representation.
5. Rongmei People’s Convention, 9 January 2018 (Tamenglong)
The Rongmei People’s Convention held on 9 January 2018 at Tamenglong headquarters also adopted a position concerning participation in the existing Zeliangrong organisations. Under Declaration No. 3, the Convention resolved that, until a common nomenclature for the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei tribes, distinct from Zeliangrong, was established, no Rongmei should join or assume responsibilities in either the Zeliangrong Union (AMN) or the Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN). This decision reflected similar concerns regarding the existing organisational arrangement and the need for an alternative common platform. It also demonstrates that the questions of organisational participation and nomenclature were matters of deliberation among the constituent tribes and were not exclusive to the Liangmai community.
6. Joint Position of the Three Tribal Councils, 2018 (Imphal)
On 7 July 2018, the presidents of the Rongmei Naga Council, Manipur; Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur; and Zeme Naga Council, Manipur, addressed a letter to the president of the Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN), referring to its press statement dated 29 June 2018. The letter referred to the joint meeting of the three councils held on 30 June 2018 and reiterated their position concerning the Zeliangrong nomenclature and the existing organisational structure. It stated that the three tribes had dissociated themselves from Zeliangrong organisation and its subordinate organisations. It also expressed their position regarding movements or social activities associated with those organisations within the territories of the Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme. The letter represents a subsequent institutional position taken by the three councils concerning organisational affiliation and nomenclature. It should be read alongside the earlier efforts towards reconciliation, the decisions of the joint councils and the respective tribal conventions.
7. Clarification by the Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur
The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, has noted allegations and public statements portraying the Liangmai people as having abandoned the Zeliangrong fold or severed their ancestral ties with the other kindred tribes. There have also been claims that the Liangmai Naga Peoples’ Convention held on 9 October 2015 directed the Liangmai people to leave the Zeliangrong organisations. Such assertions misrepresent the Convention's actual declarations and must be examined in their proper historical context. The five declarations should be read in their entirety and not selectively interpreted to suggest a repudiation of the ancestral relationship shared by the Liangmai, Zeme, Rongmei and Inpui peoples.
The Liangmai position emerged against the backdrop of the unresolved division between the Zeliangrong Union and the Zeliangrong Baudi. Convinced that the existence of two competing organisations was detrimental to the collective interests and unity of the kindred tribes, the Liangmai leadership made sincere efforts to bring both organisations together under a single, inclusive platform. It is therefore deeply unfortunate that these genuine efforts towards reconciliation and unity are being misrepresented as an act of defiling the sacred covenant of Chukthoibo. Such an allegation is wholly unwarranted and seeks to malign an initiative undertaken in the larger interest of the kindred tribes. The Council also takes note of press statements published in local newspapers, particularly The Cham Daily, portraying the Liangmai people as having severed their ties with the wider Makuiluangdi kindred fold. The position adopted at the Konsaram Convention concerned the use of the nomenclature Zeliangrong in representing the distinct tribes and their participation in organisations operating under that nomenclature. It was neither a rejection of the shared ancestral identity nor a denial of the historical and fraternal bonds among the kindred tribes. The Liangmai position sought to uphold distinct tribal identity while fostering an inclusive organisational framework. Accordingly, attempts to portray this position as a rejection of Zeliangrong brotherhood are fundamentally misplaced. Newspaper reports and public statements cannot, in themselves, be treated as evidence of an official resolution or directive of the Liangmai Naga Council.
8. Our Position: Unity, Fraternity and Mutual Respect
The Liangmai people share deep ancestral, historical and fraternal ties with the Zeme, Rongmei and Inpui peoples as descendants of Makuiluangdi. These bonds remain distinct from questions of affiliation with any particular civil society organisation.
The Liangmai position was not a rejection of shared ancestry or brotherhood, but a stand against continued organisational division and an appeal for reconciliation, unity and an inclusive common platform. The Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur, remains committed to constructive engagement and the establishment of a united organisation that respects the identities, rights and interests of all constituent tribes.
We therefore urge all concerned to refrain from misrepresenting the Liangmai position or portraying organisational decisions as a rejection of ancestral ties. Differences concerning nomenclature, representation and affiliation must be addressed through dialogue, historical understanding and mutual respect.
Liangmai Duanwilo
Liangmai Naga Council, Manipur