Zeliangrong United Front Calls for Peace, Rights and End to NSCN-IM Actions

The Zeliangrong political journey is a long history of struggle marked by suffering and martyrdom, sustained by hope, and after decades of denial and suppression has resurfaced for a final settlement with the Government of India through democratic and peaceful negotiations. The formation of the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) is a historical necessity rooted in the legacy of the Zeliangrong People's Convention (ZPC). ZUF does not oppose the Naga national movement; it seeks to assert and secure a Zeliangrong homeland. This legitimate objective has been misconstrued, particularly by NSCN-IM, leading to confrontation between the two groups. The Zeliangrong people have endured prolonged exploitation, intimidation, and military domination by NSCN-IM in Zeliangrong areas. As a people's force, ZUF is duty-bound to defend the rights, dignity, and land of its people. Continued targeting, suppression, and violation of human rights under the pretext of Naga nationalism are unacceptable and contrary to both Naga interests and humanitarian principles.

We must all understand that, the Naga cause belongs to all Nagas, irrespective of tribe, community, region, state, or borders, and everyone who belongs to the Naga fold should be treated equally under the same umbrella. In this light, it is troubling that the Zeliangrong community is singled out by NSCN-IM as a threat to Naga national interest. This raises a serious question: has their agenda moved beyond genuine national interest and move toward controlling and preventing a particular community from claiming and exercising its legitimate right to secure a long-pending homeland? When the actual objective is blurred and the priority remains on targeting only a single community through threats, intimidation, and violence, the sincerity of the cause itself becomes questionable. Are such actions truly driven by true nationalism, or by the intent to extract the limited resources of the Zeliangrong people for personal or organizational gain? If similar vicious actions by any group in any other Naga regions or areas would be considered illegitimate or an encroachment from outsiders, how then can such actions by NSCN-IM in Zeliangrong areas be justified in the name of Naga nationalism? Is Naga nationalism for NSCN-IM confined only to Zeliangrong lands? These questions speak for themselves and are clear to any right-thinking mind.

The game of NSCN-IM in Zeliangrong land since the 1990s ethnic clashes that have led to endless communal tension in the region is highly condemnable. Their recent act of sinister design employing Kamson group and implying ZUF of inhumanely harassing the neighboring Kukis in the pretext of anti-narcotic war is another devilish attempt to infuse confusion, commotion and communal tension. If their intention is genuinely to wage an anti-narcotics campaign, why are they not engaging directly themselves? Why resort to such sinister designs on others to bring tension and misunderstanding among the neighbors or within the community? Despite repeated restraint in the interest of complying with public appeals for maintaining peace and harmony, the recent killing of a ZUF cadre at Dolang area indicates clearly their continued aggression and an attempt to challenge us to trigger reciprocal retaliation.

The ZUF shall not remain a mute spectator over such anti-social, anti-national and criminal mediation. Such continuous schemes of attack are nothing but attempts to disturb the credible integrity and progress of the Zeliangrong people and now target to disturb the good progress of the ongoing Zeliangrong political talks with the Government of India. The public is urged to recognize these realities, avoid biased narratives, and speak out against actions that provoke violence and incite communal disharmony and tribal imbalance. For the sake of lasting peace and growth in the Zeliangrong region, NSCN-IM must withdraw their suppressive military operations from Zeliangrong regions.

Louis Gangmei

Secretary, Information & Publicity

Zeliangrong United Front

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