LNC states its position on Gaan Ngai festival

Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, Feb 20: On the issue of Gaan Ngai festival, the Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) said on Saturday that the festival is celebrated by Kabui community. The “customary and cultural festival Gaan Ngai is fondly and affectionately celebrated by the Kabui community who dwell in Imphal valley”, the LNC added.
The LNC then said that the “biggest annual festival and most celebrated customary and cultural festival of the Liangmai people is Chagah Ngee”. It is celebrated in the month of October every year.  
The LNC statement came amid the tussle between ‘Zeliangrong’ organizations and Kabui bodies on the issue of Gaan Ngai festival.
The nomenclature ‘Zeliangrong’ was coined from the first syllables of Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei tribes.  However, Liangmai tribe is not a part of the ‘Zeliangrong’, said the LNC. Given this picture, one of the objectives of this LNC’s statement is to clear the air of confusion that Liangmai tribe has nothing to do with whatever stand, claim or decision the ‘Zeliangrong’ organizations take and make on any issue.
It can be mentioned here that the LNC has been voicing against the use of ‘Liang’ in the ‘Zeliangrong’ nomenclature. The Liangmai body once again asked "concerned people" not to use 'Liang' in their organisations to avoid confusions and misunderstandings.
The LNC further clarified that it is not a constituent unit of any ‘Zeliangrong’ organization. On the formation of ‘Zeliangrong’ body, the LNC said that 'Zeliangrong' body was a social organization formed in 1947.
“Prior to the formation of this social body, the concerned tribes were known by their respective and original names as Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei,” said the LNC statement.
The LNC then said that Liangmais had disassociated from Zeliangrong organisation years ago for various valid reasons.