Aheli Moitra
Morung Express News
Senapati | October 24
Following small controversy, the Zeliangrong Citizens Forum (ZCF) successfully installed its monolith at Makuilongdi in Senapati district in Manipur, marking the end of its ancestral land expedition on October 22. The stone was unveiled by the chairman of Makuilongdi village council. Made in Imphal, the granite monolith reads ‘Makuilongdi Tusom’ preceded by the ZCF logo, succeeded by a short message from the ZCF. Though encased in a cement structure, it adds to the remarkable collection of monoliths spread out through the range of Makuilongdi.
Addressing the meeting at Makuilongdi on a sunny Monday, Convenor of the ZCF, Rangro Herie, read out a paper on the meaning of the ancestral land expedition taken up by the Forum. “It is time for us to lay new foundation for holistic growth—socially, politically, economically and educationally,” said Herie in his speech.
As a start to this process, the ZCF covered more than 2,200 kms within the Zeliangrong territory in Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, reaching out to 29 villages in the 17 days of its ‘homecoming’ expedition. The final destination, Makuilongdi, saw people from various colonies of Makuilongdi, the ZCF team and other well wishers gathered here for the occasion, which was moderated by D. Stephen, Chairman, Zeliangrong Students’ Union Manipur (ZSUM).
“On this day, we gather here as one people with one vision and one voice. We come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and domestic fights, the criticism and worn-out system of belief that for far too long have strangled our people,” reminded Herie, stressing on the dire need for unity within the community.
Research scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, Poujenlung Gonmei, broached the issue of land alienation within the 12,000 sq.km. Zeliangrong territory. “We have inherited a large amount of land but been unable to settle uniformly in them,” reflected Gonmei. He said that lands are being encroached on in all the three states, and the Zeliangrong people cannot wait for the friendliness of the concerned state government to reverse the process. “If we don’t re-habilitate our lands, someone else will claim them,” pointed out Gonmei.
The Zeliangrong Youth Front (ZYF, AMN) sent a letter of support through its President, Titus Kamei, congratulating the ZCF on the successful completion of its expedition. Even though the Zeliangrong people are spread out, ZYF said, technology will go a long way in bridging the gap between people of the younger generation through learning and education.
On a similar congratulatory note, President of the All Zeliangrong Students’ Union (AZSU, AMN), Tingenlung Pamei, speaking to the audience, stressed on the need of a coherent approach to political, educational, social and economic realms in order to move forward as a community.
In a short and effective speech, the ex-chairman of Makuilongdi, who helped re-establish the village in 1981, thanked the ZCF for its contribution. He said that the village had started small, with due respect to surrounding villages like Oklong, but is more stable now. “Seeing you in my village is like a dream come true. We are ignorant but we know that you are here to remember us in your endeavours,” said the old man, referring to, among others, the steep underdevelopment that engulfs Makuilongdi.
To this, the Convenor of ZCF shed a ray of hope by promising a heritage village on the site where the monolith was erected. Aspired to be a live Zeliangrong museum of history, it is likely to come up in the next 20 years.
