The Zeliangrong media war is heightening.  Reacting to the Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB), the Zeliangrong Union-Assam, Manipur and Nagaland (ZU-AMN)  said that ‘new ZIB’ (Dimapur-ZIB) as well as its proposed Peren convention is illegitimate and incompetent to decide on the said important subject matters of the ZU (AMN), for various reasons.

The ZU-AMN said that Zeliangrong Interim Body (ZIB) was constituted by the Tamenglong Convention of October 30, 2009 which was legitimate body with authority under the union constitution.

In accordance with the resolution of the Nunba meeting of 'Chaguat Phom' of June 18, 2009, the Tamenglong Convention was held to decide on the use of the terms Union or Baudi or otherwise for the nomenclature of the ZU (AMN). The ZU (AMN) said that it took part in organizing the convention and participated in the proceedings of the convention, under the authority of the union constitution.

The ZU-AMN said that the first ZIB (Tamenglong –ZIB) was constituted for a tenure of three months i.e November, December-2009 and January 2010, within which the ZIB had to carry out election of new office bearers for the apex body ZU-AMN. 'Unfortunately, the ZIB failed to carry out election before its tenure expired on January 31, 2010 and naturally the ZIB was defunct and ceased to exist.'

The ZU further said that when the ZIB had expired without electing new office bearers, the apex body ZU-AMN was left in a state of “vacuum” or ‘zero-organisation’ situation, the incumbent office bearers took over the charge and resumed the office under provisions of the union constitution (Article-26). Since then the ZU (AMN) has been functioning as usual and carried out the over due election on July 20, it added.

The second ZIB constituted by the Dimapur meeting of February 26, 2010 was illegitimate and unconstitutional, said the ZU-AMN.

'Inspite of their sincerity or good intention, the participants of the Dimapur meeting were not authorized by the Tamenglong Convention nor by the Union constitution to constitute the “new ZIB” (Dimapur-ZIB). The Dimapur-ZIB has no connection with Tamenglong Convention or the first ZIB (Tamenglong-ZIB) which had already expired in January 31,2010,' it added.

The ZU-AMN then stated that the Dimapur meeting of February 26 constituted the ‘new ZIB’ (Dimapur-ZIB) for tenure of three months (February, March,April 2010). 'So, this Dimapur ZIB (of Ninthaodai Gonmei) had also expired its tenure on April 30,2010. Therefore, this new ZIB (Dimapur_ZIB) could not convene the Convention at Peren on May 20 or on July 30 when the convener (Dimapur-ZIB) had already expired in April. That is why the proposed Peren Convention of July 30 convened by Dimapur ZIB which is dead and non-existent body, is illegal and invalid. Any decision taken in such illegal meeting, shall be void' ZU-AMN asserted.

'Only the ZU (AMN) has the constitutional authority to decide on the “Nomenclature, or constition, or election....' stated the Zelaingrong Union (AMN). 'No other committee or body has the authority to do so. In 1972, ZU (then ZNU) as well as the Zelaingrong national leaders had already banned formation of any parallel organization within Zeliangrong community. The ZU (AMN) absorded the local organization of Nagaland called "Zeliangrong hojam" into the ZU in 1995 in public interest and to strengthen the unity and solidarity of our great tribe. Unfortunately, after sometime another local organization came up in its place called "Zeliangrong Baudi" (then Mr. Deniss/presently Mr. Akhang). The ZU(AMN) feels such mushroom growth undesirable for the unity of our tribe. The ZU (AMN) agreed to discuss and settle the agenda on "Union" or "Baudi" or otherwise in the Tamenglong Convention as a matter of continued discussion of nomenclature consider earlier at Taemi Union Assembly (2006). But, the Zu (AMN) does not recognized the so called "Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN)" as it was unconstitutionaly formed be certain renegade (impeached) leader of the union. Therefore, the proposed Peren Convention is also not desirable. If certain group of leaders or persons go on setting up new organizations from time to time, our Zeliangrong society will be full of parallel apex bodies. This is not acceptable social norm. It only will lead to a farce,' it added.

The ZU (AMN) then said that it will continue to work in proper and constitutional manner, to find out solution to the problems of nomenclature which Tamenglong Convention had left unfinished.

'In the meantime, it may be advisable to defer the proposed Peren Peren Convention. Let us put our heads together to strengthen our organization and to stride forward toward the goal set for us by our forefathers,' the ZU-AMN suggests.

(NNN)