ZCOs dismiss ZB (AMN)’s contention

IMPHAL, Jun 11
Zeliangrong civil organisa-tions namely; Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) Manipur, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students’ Union have dismissed the conten-tion of ZB (AMN) that they were not officially commi-ssioned to represent the people at the meeting held with NNPGs on June 7 at Dimapur as totally wrong and baseless.
The ZB Manipur, ZYF and ZSU are quite dismayed over the joint press statement issued by ZB (AMN) president K Akhang, ZB Nagaland president CR Zeliang and ZB Assam president Pauheu Newme which was published in media on June 10.
The wild allegation levelled upon the leaders of Zeliangrong Baudi and the frontal organisation leaders in connection with the consultative meeting with the NNPGs held on 7th June at Dimapur was totally wrong and baseless, said a press statement issued by the Zeliangrong civil  organisations.
It said that prior information had been intimated to the president, ZB (AMN) over telephone regarding the invitation extended to Naga tribal hohos including Zeliangrong organisations of Manipur by the seven NNPGs for a consultative meeting and there was no objection or reaction from the president, ZB (AMN) either.
It was also considered and felt that attending the consultative meeting convened by different political groups who are engaged in political negotiation for peaceful political settlement is not a crime, the ZCOs asserted.
The ZCO leaders right after attending the consultative meeting with the NNPGs drove down to Jalukie from Dimapur and had a cordial and fruitful discussion at the residence of CR Zeliang, president ZB Nagaland regarding the points and issues raised by the ZCO leaders during the consultative meeting with the NNPGs.
The discussion held at Jalukie residence of CR Zeliang was also participated by other leaders namely Nicodim, vice-president ZB Nagaland, Joshua who is the advisor of ZB Nagaland and K Akhang, president, ZB (AMN).
As per ZB constitution Article 15 E (iii), (vi), every State unit is empowered to tackle and deal with issues pertaining to affairs under their respective jurisdictions. Therefore, it is a binding obligation to discharge its constitutionally empowered responsibilities in the interest of the people, the CZOs claimed.
Hence, the joint statement issued by the president, ZB (AMN) along with ZB Nagaland president and ZB Assam president can be considered as an infringement and pure interference which is clear violation of the constitutional provisions, it said.   
Regarding the ZB (AMN) vice-president, there is one vice-president for every State unit to oversee the overall affairs of their respective State unit in consultation and coordination with the executives of ZB State units in addition to discharging the responsibilities of being vice-president of ZB (AMN).  Similarly, the president, Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) and the president, All Zeliangrong Student’s Union (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) have their constitutional responsibilities and obligations to represent in any meetings etc in accordance to their organisation’s constitutional provisions, it said.  
Zeliangrong being one of the Naga communities and stakeholders, it is felt necessary to appeal to all negotiating parties to bring a political solution at the earliest considering the ground realities of the people, particularly Zeliangrong people’s position and situation, the ZCOs said.
They appealed to members of all the political groups to refrain from using harsh and intimidating words which is against the peace process and the wishes of the people.
Leaders of Zeliangrong civil organisations would not feel any hesitation to sit across the table and share with the leaders of the political groups in free and fair manner the grievances and the problems being faced by the Zeliangrong people, it continued.
It is the hope and aspiration of Zeliangrong people in particular to live in peace and progress with the settlement of the political issue at the earliest, the ZCOs added.