Dimapur, June 1 (MExN): The Zeliangrong Baudi today issued a statement asserting its stance on the ethnic violence in Assam’s troubled North Cachar Hills. Outlining the turn of events and the current situation in the district, the Zeliangrong apex body also offered the historical perspective for the Zeliangrong Naga community in NC Hills.
The statement said the Dimasa community has been “our close neighboring community since when they fled from their ancestral domain” in Dimapur way back in 1535 AD following the conquest of the Ahom kings. They took shelter in Takloaram, now known by their own name ‘Maibang’. After the lapse of hundreds of years, the hoho argued, “our once visitors took the turn against the aboriginal inhabitants of NC Hills” which the organization as “unthought-of intrusion.”
“We are now left to decide what measures befits such willful attempt against the indigenous people of the NC Hills of Assam. We have been silent for long about their attempt to dominate us by harassing us in various methods making us unrest and tense,” the Zeliangrong Baudi stated. The apex Zeliangrong body said it could not immediately calm the anger and fury of the Zeliangrong youths who have been challenged and ‘now awakened to face it’ and that ‘It is our apprehension that they may go beyond limit and create havoc in the region’.
The Baudi however appealed for protection of innocent public of the Dimasa community, women and children. “The apex body in this regard appeals to Zeliangrong defense forces not to launch such act while the authority is on to for resolving the conflict in a peaceful way.”
While anticipating positive approach from the apex Dimasa public organization to mutually come to terms and settling the conflict, the Baudi reiterated its willingness to ‘forgive and forbear the pain, the lost and the insult inflicted upon us thus far if and only the Dimasas community is willing to respect and honor the history, restore the age old relationship for the sake of peaceful-coexistence’. “However, we stand affirms that our indigenous rights shall be upheld in all matter and also we affirms that the rights of the Dimasas will be given due regard,” the Zeliangrong Baudi added.
