Principal Correspondent
Senapati, May 12
Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has said that the Nagas should not lose hope of integration.
The Chief Minister said this while launching the campaign for the Naga People’s Front (NPF), Manipur State unit which is fielding a good number of candidates in the ensuing Autonomous District Council (ADC) election of Manipur scheduled to be held on June 1.
Out of the total 144 seats for the ADC elections in the five districts of Manipur, NPF is fielding 86 candidates, which include Chandel – 14, Ukhrul – 23, Senapati – 22, Tamenglong – 19 and Sadar Hills – 8.
Addressing the mammoth gathering as the chief guest at Senapati local ground, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said that the various Naga tribes lived in splendid isolation within the respective traditional boundaries till the coming of the British.
He said that unfortunately for Nagas, the British administration had divided the Nagas, and their homeland under various administrations, and when they (British) left, “the Nagas found ourselves and our homeland badly divided.”
Nonetheless, the Nagaland Chief Minister said, “We should not despair or lose hope”. He said that there is undying desire inside every Naga to be united, and to live under one administrative umbrella.
He said that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had already passed resolutions four times for unification of all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administration but it is yet to be realized.
Zeliang maintained, “Whether Nagas get integration of Naga homeland in the near future or not, we should continue the effort for social and emotional integration. We can still be one people, and make ourselves stronger and feel more respected”.
Further maintaining that the legislators in Nagaland on Monday have resolved to form Joint
Legislators Forum to pursue for early solution to Naga political issue, he suggested that NPF MLAs of Manipur should also unite and decide to join this JLF to strengthen the hand of the Nagas for early solution.
The Chief Minister while expressing that Nagas are small in number on the world stage, said, “We need to unite and work as one people, if we want to be counted. If we don’t maintain our cultural and ethnic identity, others will neither respect us nor care for us.”
Stating that even in Manipur, Nagas are in minority, he therefore urged Nagas in Manipur to to be united socially and politically and maintain their distinct identity.
That, he said, is the main objective of the NPF party coming to Manipur, so as to give a common platform for all Nagas to stand united as one.
He then cautioned that that the valley based political parties may come and try to break Naga unity by telling them not to play the tribal card. “Don’t be influenced by such dubious move,” he urged while also stating that ultimately Nagas will be respected and given their due share.
T Ra Zeliang then said that in the past Nagas have fallen into such traps, because of which Naga people could not have a Naga MP, although the majority in Outer Manipur constituency are Nagas.
This time, Zeliang appealed, let Nagas become wiser and vote for the NPF candidates so that we send a strong message to the Manipur government and the Central government.
On the notions of Naga people boycotting the ADC election, the Chief Minister said, “Instead of boycotting the election, it is better to participate, so that we can change the system”. “The ADC(s) may need restructuring and more empowerment in terms of functions and financial powers, but these things can be brought about by participating in the election, so that we can change the system”.
He asserted that if NPF is voted in this ADC elections in all the districts, the party and the Councils will uphold the spirit of real autonomous for all the tribal people.
Last time, the Nagas boycotted the ADC polls but this time there is no boycott call, he stated.
Appealing to ‘Trust and Vote for NPF’, Zeliang said, “You (people) are our (NPF) high-command and you will rule your land under the law of the land”.
Interestingly, recalling that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Government of Manipur had made it difficult for the NPF leaders to launch the party back in May 2011, he said “things have now changed, because there was no such restriction imposed on us this time.” “This is real democracy, and if the Chief Minister of Manipur O. Ibobi Singh wants to come to Nagaland to canvass for Congress party during elections, we will warmly welcome him without any obstruction on his way,” he conveyed.
