Gaidinliu of Luangkao Rongmei Village Manipur – A Rejoinder

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his concise rejoinder is necessitated to clear the minds with the grass-root specifics on some of the points which was published in local dailies dated 14th October, 2014 with the above heading. “Gaidinliu only propagated a cult called Kampai/Kamphai.” Indigenous Culture of the Zeliangrong was known by Paupiacheng (Liangmai)/Renet/Paupaise (Zeme) in Nagaland context. The word ‘Kampai/Kamphai’ was just a pejorative name on ridicule; there is no record since time immemorial that Indigenous Culture was known by the name ‘Kampai/Kamphai’. Taking the advantage of minority population or illiteracy of the Indigenous Culture followers, the very word ‘Kampai/Kamphai’ was propagated in the wrong sense and even being used as a tool or word for missionary works. Gaidinliu was a social and religious reformer of Indigenous Faith and Culture. Gaidinliu even being a woman stood up against all odds and reformed the Indigenous Faith of Zeliangrong called ‘HERAKA’.“The Movement of Gaidinliu was not for freedom therefore it was not even a political movement...” To start from Jadonang will be a very long story, however, it is pertinent to mention that, after the execution of Jadonang by the British Empire, the Zeliangrong Movement against the British Empire continued under the leadership of Gaidinliu. When the British Govt. came to know it, they began massive search for her. Then it was at Hangrum when they came face to face, which is known by one and all even in Indian history the battle of Hangrum (Assam, N.C. Hills) was fought in 1932. And subsequently, after the Hangrum Battle she was caught by British Army at Poilwa Village in Nagaland and she was imprisoned for 14 years. Now, how can one say that Gaidinliu’s Movement was not for freedom nor political. “....If so, why did she (Gaidinliu) butchered 9 NNC/FGN at Ngaulong Village, Nagaland?” The incident of Ngaulong Village was never a part of her freedom movement. The freedom movement of Gaidinliu ended with the achievement of Indian Independence in 1947. After that, she devoted herself purely for social and religious activities and was in close contact with the Indian Govt. for the development of Zeliangrong people in particular and Nagas in general. In the midst of these, in 1960, the face offs between Gaidinliu and NNC occurred when Hulang the Ahng of NNC summoned her and asked her to go to the Prime Minister to demand Independence for the Nagas as well as he criticised the religious believe of Gaidinliu and also condemned that she was worshiper of spirits (Heathenism). Felt insulted and compelled by her followers, she went underground and formed Rani Army (Rani Siphai) to protect her people and preserve the indigenous religion. During these consequences, the incident of Old Ngaulong Village occurred. For the fact, many lives from both the sides were lost. Not to mention in particular, many such kind of incidents had occurred. Why so particular about one incident only. During the conflict with the NNC, many people approached Gaidinliu for peaceful solution. However, after dozens of approaches, the then Deputy Commissioner, Kohima Shri. SC Deo, made a strategic approach to her then only she agreed to come over ground in the very year in 1966. Since then she stayed at Kohima till she could involve in social activities. “Construction of Rani Gaidinliu Library-cum-Memorial Museum at Kohima.” It will not be fair on our part not to speak free. It is a well known fact that, Gaidinliu was a Rongmei origin from Luangkoa village in Manipur but still she was a Naga woman. To write in detail it will be a very long story, but to be precise and well known by one and all, her main headquarter or main base was Kohima, Nagaland. After the Indian Independence, she was honoured by the Indian Government with Tamra Patra and Padmabhushan. Whenever she visited the Indian Union, she presented herself as the representative of Nagaland. Giving the importance to all these facts, the State Government initiated the project for ‘Constructing Library-cum-Memorial Museum in the name of Gaidinliu’. The project was approved and sanctioned by the Central Government through DoNER Ministry with the tireless effort of the then Chief Minister and present MP Lok Sabha Shri Neiphiu Rio and also by the then Planning Minister and present Chief Minister Shri. TR Zeliang. At this juncture, the hostility of this project by any individual or an organization is neither expected nor appropriate. “Heraka still exists in some pockets of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states. So how can we claim Gaidinliu’s movement as a movement to liberate ...” In this regard, it is referred that Heraka followers were very few in number however when Gaidinliu fought against the Britishers in the third decade of the 20th Century, it was neither only for Heraka nor for the Nagas but her movement was a part of Indian Freedom Movement and was for the freedom of whole country and the same was recognized by the Indian National Congress. If one thinks that a leader of minor community and its movement is valueless as it was only in a small part, it is due to lack of one’s distant eyesight. “... but that historical facts be protected and preserved in the interest of our future generation” Here it is true that the historical facts must be preserved but only with the knowledge about it, to be passed on to the future generation. It is well known by the whole country that Gaidinliu was a freedom fighter of India. In fact she was born in Luangkau village, Manipur, but being a Naga woman, she was regarded by the people as freedom fighter from Nagaland. We are compelled to issue this write-up as Gaidinliu was not being regarded in the right prospect. To associate the name of Gaidinliu with any other issues will be unfortunate. Taking the aspect of other issues, to link the name of Gaidinliu and a particular religion, by an organization like ZPO is only to diminish the value and the credence of its own figure in the modern society and the same is not expected. Sd/- Kewibamdi H. Meriam Thunbui Zeliang Joint Secretary, General Secretary Zeliangrong Heraka Youth Organisation, Nagaland