TAMENGLONG, Nov 26 NNN: The Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur has said it took serious note of the claim made by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) with regard to the land.
\nThe Zeliangrong Baudi (ZB) stated that the KSDC claims \u2018many traditional Zeliangrong lands\u2019 as theirs.
\n\u201cWe respect the interest of every ethnic group provided the other groups recognize and respect the established historical position of the Naga people. However, this organization took serious note of the claim of the KSDC(Kuki State Demand Committee) which covers many traditional Zeliangrong lands and claim as their lands. We are not against demand for creation of state provided they do not claim\/ affect our land. However, we cannot compromise with our land, history and people,\u201d the Zeliangrong Baudi said today.
\nIt then said the Zeliangrongs are peace loving people and we have been settling from time immemorial in this traditional land while others are migrants. \u201cIf some migrants come and claim it as their ancestral land and demand Kuki state, then where is locus-standi of demanding that?,\u201d it asks.
\nThe ZB respects every ethnic group as our good neighbor, it added. \u201cBut when it comes to land, it belongs to us because our forefathers had owned this ancestral land from time immemorial. And we continue to own it till today. A tenant cannot claim ownership over a rented house because of one having been there for quite some time,\u201d the ZB further added.
\nIt then asks, \u201cWe would also like to question both Govt. of India and Govt. of Manipur whether they have plan to concede and create homeland, a state for any migrant groups coming from Myanmar?\u201d \u201cIf so, we have apprehension of Bangladeshi Muslims also demanding a separate state one day, who almost outnumbered the indigenous Assamese and other North \u2013East States today.
\nThe Govt. of Manipur seems to be enjoying with the unreasonable demand of the KSDC because the later has been sponsored by the first.
\nThere is no exception to illegal migrants, whether they come from Bangladesh or Myanmar. Both of them are illegal, irrespective of the origin of the state of the domicile. We could like to caution the Govt. of India to be careful when it comes to deal with demand of the state sponsored KSDC,\u201d the Zeliangrong Baudi stated.<\/p>\n\n