IMPHAL, September 28: The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has appreciated and thanked the Central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for recognizing and hailing freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu.
A statement of the outfit said the Indian government is celebrating Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary yearlong.
`Many awards and acknowledgement has been paid to the only lady tribal freedom fighter of North-East India,` it said.
The release further lauded three Indian leaders namely first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru for giving the title of `Rani` in 1937 to the freedom fighter, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who conferred the title `Tamrapatra` meaning freedom fighter in 1972 and Narendra Modi for introducing coins of Rs 100 and 5 commemorating Rani Gaidinliu`™s birth centenary on August 24, 2015 in New Delhi.
It further said the outfit will not forget Nagaland Governor PB Acharya who walked the extra mile to honour the Naga lady who fought the British from a young age.
Rani Gaidinliu`™s sacrifices towards preserving and protecting her land, culture and indigenous religion from the hands of the alien forces have led the Zeliangrong people this far, it continued.
Rani Gaidinliu, the ZUF statement said, relinquished her life for the Zeliangrong and kindred tribes to come under a single administrative unit and raised her voice demanding a separate State for the Zeliangrong people.
Yet, the Zeliangrong people are made minorities in the three States of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland all under the Indian administration, it claimed.
The outfit also claimed that the sacrifices of the martyrs Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu struggle to bring the Zeliangrong people under a single administration has not been fulfilled till date.
`The progenies of Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu longs to realize the cherish vision of the past freedom fighters,` it said adding that the ZUF carries the same vision of Rani Gaidinliu demanding a separate state for the Zeliangrong people.
The ZUF also claimed that cadres of the outfit have been hunted every now and then by combined teams of the NSCN (IM) and the Indian Army/ Assam Rifles, even though the Central government is celebrating Rani Gaidinliu`™s centenary.
Several and repeated memorandums submitted to the Prime Minister Office and other concerned authorities of the Indian government have turned to deaf ears till date, it said.
It further charged the AR of giving protection and a free hand to the NSCN (IM) to roam around with arms and ammunitions around the local villages.
It said the hunting and operation against the ZUF that follows Rani Gaidinliu is `incongruous.`
The ZUF has also charged the NSCN (IM) of working hand in glove with the AR and other security forces and suppressing the voice of the Zeliangrong people.
The NSCN (IM) in a double standard manner has been stopping the Zeliangrong people`™s demand for separate State while giving a free hand to other communities, it said.
It further charged local politicians like deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who also holds the Home portfolio of using the AR and the Dogra Regiment in bringing terror in Zeliangrong areas especially in Tamenglong.
The ZUF has warned that it will not remain silent if the Indian security forces continue with their policy of suppression in connivance with some local politicians on one hand and with the NSCN (IM) on the other.