The Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCO) on the occasion of 90th Martyr Day of Haipou Jadonang made an appeal to the Union Government for declaration of Haipou Jadonang as one of the freedom fighters of India.
The ZCO, comprising the Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and the Zeliangrong Students’ Union, observed the 90th Martyr Day of Haipou Jadonang at Koirengei, Imphal on Sunday. The programme was attended by leaders of All Zeliangrong Arts and Cultural Organisation (AZACO), village elders, women leaders, student leaders, youths and well wishers.
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A release by the Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) stated that the colonial rule had termed the resistance movement launched by Haipou Jadonang as ‘Naga Raj’. The colonial administration was aware that Jadonang was not at Puiluan (Kambiron) village at the time when the four betel leaf traders were killed but the colonial rule found no other reason and appropriate ground to punish him and implicated him in the said murder case.
The release also stated that the supreme sacrifice made by Haipou Jadonang in the freedom struggle like any other freedom fighters of India has been neglected by the Union Government. Therefore, the leaders of the ZCOs on this 90th Martyr Day observance, on behalf of the Zeliangrong people appealed to the Central government to pay deserving respect and honour in a befitting manner to Haipou Jadonang as the freedom fighter of India, it added.
It further stated that despite the supreme sacrifices made in India’s freedom movement by the great leaders Haipou Jadonang and Rani Gaidinliu who belong to the Zeliangrong community, the Centre has ignored and neglected the sufferings of the Zeliangrong people till date in different states of the country.
The Zeliagrong leaders urged the state government to recommend the Centre for declaration of Haipou Jadonang as one of the freedom fighters of India, it added.
The leaders of ZCOs on behalf of the Zeliangrong people, however, appreciated the state government for installation of the Haipou Jadonang statue and the construction of Haipou Jadonang Park in recognition for his supreme sacrifice at the site where he was hanged to death by the British in Imphal. Zeliangrong people hope that the Centre will definitely reciprocate the sacrifice made by Haipou Jadonang for the freedom movement, the release added.
