The Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) comprising Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students’ Union have submitted a memorandum to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh urging him to constitute District Re-Organisation Commission during the upcoming Assembly session so as to effect alteration and amalgamation of Zeliangrong villages falling within Kangpokpi and Churachandpur district into Noney (Longmai) and Tamenglong district.
The memorandum signed by vice president, Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Titus Kamei; president Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur, Poupoklung Kamei; president Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur &Nagaland), Gaiganglung Golmei; chairman, Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur, Jonah Thaimei and chairman, South Zone (Churachandpur and Kangpokpi), D Abuan asserted that amalgamation of Zeliangrong villages falling in Kangpokpi (erstwhile Sadar Hills under Senapati district) and Churachandpur (South district) district into Tamenglong district (now bifurcated into two districts as Noney and Temenglong), is a long pending demand of Zeliangrong people.
It noted that Zeliangrong villages of Tamenglong district erstwhile west district were included at the time of creation of Sadar Sub-Division in 1933 for administrative convenience by the British colonial administration and the upgradation of Churachandpur erstwhile South district into a full fledged district in 1969 without the knowledge and consent of Zeliangrong people.
It mentioned that considering the demands for merger/amalgamation of Zeliangrong villages, the Central Government during the tenure of the then Prime Minister, Vishwanath Pratap Singh (VP Singh) and the then Union Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed (MM Sayeed) in 1990, wrote a letter bearing No 9/15/89-CD/CEN dated 14-4-1990 to the then Chief Minister of Manipur, RK Ranbir Singh to effect merger/amalgamation of Zeliangrong areas of Churachandpur and Sadar Hills into Tamenglong district.
It maintained that official process for merger/amalgamation was initiated by the respective Deputy Commissioners of Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Senapati districts in compliance with the directive of the Centre, however the alleged instability of the centre and the ineffectiveness of the State Govt at that time reportedly failed to materialise it. The process remains inconclusive till date without any justifiable reason, it added.
It reiterated its appeal to constitute a District Re-Organisation Commission headed by competent and capable person with impeccable integrity during the upcoming Assembly Session slated to commence from Wednesday in order to effect alteration and amalgamation of Zeliangrong villages falling in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur district into Tamenglong and Noney (Longmai) district.
It expressed hope that the state government will put into action its words and fulfill the long pending demand of the Zeliangrong people as a testament to prove the existence of effective and strong government thereof.
