Zeliangrong Baudi vows to protect collective identity

Dimapur, April 12 (EMN): The Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) – a community organisation representing the Zeliangrong people from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland – has rejected any move to trifurcate the community into Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei tribes ‘by any force/element’. A press release from the organisation on Thursday stated that a decision to this effect was reached at its 8^th ‘dimki session’ (assembly) held at Makuilongdi village in Senapati district of Manipur on April 11. The press release described said location as ‘the cradle of Zeliangrong civilization as well as the place of dispersal of Zeliangrong people to different directions’. “The Zeliangrong people will not allow in any manner to trifurcate ourselves into Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei separately by any force/element within and without,” the resolution read. It also decided to ban all kinds of exploration of natural resources including petroleum products. “The dimki session also took serious note over the threat perception to the Zeliangrong people in Assam particularly NC Hills/Dima Hasao district from the neighbouring communities. Their grievances and security concern would be apprised to the GOl, security forces and all authorities concerned,” it stated. The session had in attendance ‘many prominent Zeliangrong leaders, students, youths, intellectuals, church leaders, village chiefs from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland’, it stated. The tatar hoho (parliament) of the NSCN (IM) at a meeting at its headquarters at Camp Hebron on March 23 had recognised Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei as separate tribal communities. Recently, the Rongmei Naga People’s Organisation (RNPO) – said to be ‘the apex body of Rongmei people living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland’ – had lauded the decision of the NSCN (IM).