Rongmei People’s Convention affirms RNPO as their apex body

From Our Correspondent

TAMENGLONG | Jan 9

Despite of boycott by various civil societies of Kabui and Zeliangrong organisations, Rongmei People’s Convention organised by Rongmei Naga People’s Organisation is under good progress.

Excluding Tamenglong town, as many as 700 delegates from 142 villages from nook and corner of Nagaland, Assam and Manipur are attending convention.

The convention resolved 10 important resolutions in the first session chaired by Dichamang Pamei, and Gwangphun Gangmei as session secretary, while Aguangmei Gonmei attended as facilitator in the first session.

The convention reaffirmed and declared that the identity of Rongmei people as enshrined in the constitution of India is Rongmei and nomenclature shall be used as Rongmei. It was declared that Rongmei Naga People Organisation (RNPO) is the apex body to which every Rongmei shall subscribe or recognise and pay all allegiance with obligation.

It was also affirmed that Rongmei people shall no longer be a part of Zeliangrong Union and Zeliangrong Baudi until common platform is consensus constituted by kindred tribes council or organisation.

Having understood and asserted that Zeliangrong is coined composite nomenclature and is not a tribe, Rongmei as a distinct tribe shall represent in all concerned organisation in the regional, national and international arena.

The Rongmei people are sole owners and have the absolute authority over the land and resources, the convention observed.

The convention declared that the history, legacies of legendary personalities, ancestral traditions, arts and cultures of the Rongmei shall be preserved, promoted and archived in well documented forms. Moreover, the original native names of rivers, lakes, mountains, villages, roads and others within the jurisdiction of Rongmei habitat shall be reinstated and also conserve the biodiversity of the land.

It was affirmed and declared that the Rongmei people reiterate its support for early and inclusive settlement of the protracted Indo-Naga political issue. The Rongmei inhabited areas are peace zone and that any sort of factional feuds or violence should be stopped. Henceforth, all parties or groups must come forward for resolving the differences in the interests of the people, maintained the convention.

During the convention today at Tamenglong HQ, it was proclaimed that every Rongmei individual shall strive to promote, propagate and practice the principles with strict adherence and compliance toward realising the vision and aspiration of the people.

In the noon session, former MLAs including Khangthuanang Panmei, Janghemlung and Jangamlung Panmei attended as chief host. It was also attended by ADC executive members including Ramning Pame and Poukinlung.

Various IAS, MCS, advocates and others officers from Rongmei tribe attended the programme.

In his presidential address at the noon session, president of RNPO, Namgai Gonmei said that as human being, it is necessary to have an identity. He said that Haipou Jadonang was killed for raising his voice against the British ruler for indigenous rights. Many other Rongmei intellectuals were killed on account of demanding indigenous rights, however people have now seen that Rongmei’s struggled is for Naga cause as a whole. Rongmei Naga People’s Organisation have targeted that Rongmei tribe should live at international status by 2050, he added.