It is pertinent to make things clear to all concerned, particularly Zeliangrong people in matter pertaining to tribal perspectives of Rongmei, Liangmai and Zeme composed as Zeliangrong since the year 1947 at Keishamthong Imphal. Perceived that, some few Rongmei are still feeling insecure of being singly called Rongmei as if it is as good as going away from a bigger fold of Zeliangrong. That the mental set up of Zeliangrong feeling is so adapted long enough to deny the fact and fashion of being called of three in one leaving aside or ignoring Inpui and other closer kindred and identical tribes living affinity in the geographical compact region south-west of Manipur state. The history of discrimination and distortion started in the nomenclature and continue to canker the society. Attempts have been made years back to register Zeliangrong as a Scheduled Tribe of India even to be called any Zeliangrong tribe to Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei but proved failed and failures. The truth is that a composed name cannot be actually called a single tribe without the consent and assent of each respective tribe.
Identical tradition, culture, languages or neighbourly relation or habitation of Rongmei Liangmai and Zeme people are no valid ground to be called the people of one parents and so a tribe. Naga tribes by racial closeness and identical structures in statures, languages, culture and tradition have their own distinct and different historical account of tribal origin, migration and settlement in the south east Asia region. The Zeliangrong of Rongmei, Liangmai and Zeme are no different. The Maram, thangal, Mao, Maring, Angami etc who are settling within the close and compact region with the Zeliangrong people are also similar to Zeliangrong in all respects but different tribes. Our closeness are no basis to term us of one tribe born of one parents. No single Rongmei or Zeme or Liangmai can identify himself or herself alone as a Zeliangrong without the other two. Therefore Zeliangrong is not an identity to identify Liangmai, Zeme or Rongmei. As Kacha Naga does not identify Zeliang so also Kabui does not identify Inpui or Rongmei anymore. Our people have been brooding and bragging within Zeliangrong for far too long at the expense of losing our original identity, culture and history. Our history have been greatly distorted and obliterated by the introduction of Zeliangrongism. The age-old history of our identity demonstrated by our tradition, culture and deeds of heroism have been merged and lost to a mixed Ze- Liang- Rong to our own disadvantages. The age of reasoning and renaissance have break-upon a new era of understanding in the light of truth for our people to wake up with zeal and urgency for setting our people straight forward in the right direction and light.
The floated narrow and short-sighted ideological perception reflected in some local and social media is regretted and unfortunate. When the other Naga tribes even minor tribes have their positions made clear and distinct, our people are challenged with great responsibilities and obligation toward the society, nations and global community. The Rongmei Naga people are clear with their position to state that, we have contributed much to the cause of Nagas’ right to self determination, the struggle for assertion of their sovereign right over their land and domain for more than a century. Their history proved beyond doubt and is unquestionable. Taking their history of struggle and contributions away for common Zeliangrong people cannot altogether deface or diminish their record made. Their history speak louder than the present make-up story or twisting ideologies born of 15th February 1947. All wishful and resentful branding of Rongmei. Zeme and Liangmai as separatist, anti-Naga or destructives activities by some few individuals in the name of Zeliangrong divided Organizations stands tasteless and baseless therefore carry no meaning or logic in any social arena be it political, social or Governmental set up in the state and National level. Hence denounced and out-rightly thrown back to the few responsible leaders who put forth such divisive and poisonous venom. To the cause of India and the Indo-Naga political struggle till date, the contribution and support of the Rongmei people was unquestionable and significant with consistency and reaffirmation made in series of Rongmei People Assemblies conducted by Rongmei Naga People Organization (RNPO). The forth coming Rongmei People Convention-2018 will prove the stands of the people clear to the Nagas and for the matter Zeliangrong once and for all. Appealed to all Zeliangrong leaders and brethren to cooperate the people initiatives and manner of contribution toward the larger interest of the Nagas and Zeliangrong and refrain from needless murmuring and propagation that are detrimental to the common aspiration and journey of common Naga Hope. Further appealed to all the Rongmei far and near to attend the historic convention to be held on 8th and 9th of January 2018 at Tamenglong HQ.
