ZUF shares thoughts on Naga cause

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 18 : The Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) has maintained that NSCN-IM "must withdraw their suppressive military operations from Zeliangrong regions" for lasting peace and growth in these areas.
In a blistering critique of NSCN-IM, ZUF declared that it does not oppose the Naga National movement but seeks to assert and secure a Zeliangrong homeland.
However, this legitimate objective has been misconstrued, particularly by the NSCN-IM, leading to confrontation between the two groups, said a press release issued by Louis Gangmei, secretary, information & publicity, ZUF.
It recalled the recent killing of a ZUF cadre at Dolang area, saying that it clearly shows NSCN-IM's continued aggression and challenge to ZUF to trigger a retaliation.
Saying that the Zeliangrong people have endured prolonged exploitation, intimidation and military domination by NSCN-IM in Zeliangrong areas, ZUF maintained that as a peoples' force, it is duty-bound to defend the rights, dignity, and the land of its people.
Continued targeting, suppression, and violation of human rights under the pretext of Naga nationalism are unacceptable and contrary to both Naga interests and humanitarian principles, it added.
While the Naga cause belongs to all Nagas, irrespective of tribe, community, region, State or borders and everyone who belongs to the Naga fold should be treated equally under the same umbrella, ZUF called it troubling that "the Zeliangrong community is singled out by NSCN-IM as a threat to Naga National interest".
In this light, ZUF has raised a series of questions:
Has NSCN-IM's agenda moved beyond genuine National interest and toward controlling and preventing a particular community from claiming and exercising its legitimate right to secure a long-pending homeland?
Are the acts of threats, intimidation, and violence truly driven by true Nationalism, or by the intent to extract the limited resources of the Zeliangrong people for personal or organizational gain?
If similar vicious actions by any group in any other Naga regions or areas would be considered illegitimate or an encroachment from outsiders, how then can such actions by NSCN-IM in Zeliangrong areas be justified in the name of Naga nationalism?
Is Naga nationalism for NSCN-IM confined only to Zeliangrong lands?
ZUF went on to condemn the "game" of NSCN-IM in Zeliangrong land since the 1990s that has reportedly led to endless communal tension in the region.
 It further accused NSCN-IM of employing the Kamson group and implying ZUF of inhumanely harassing neighbouring Kukis under the pretext of anti-narcotic war in another attempt to infuse confusion, commotion and communal tension.
ZUF has declared that it will not remain a mute spectator in the face of such "anti-social, anti-national and criminal mediation".
It further accused the NSCN-IM of attempting to disturb the positive progress of the ongoing Zeliangrong political talk with the Government of India.
ZUF has urged the public to recognize these realities, avoid biased narratives, and speak out against actions that provoke violence and incite communal disharmony and tribal imbalance.