ZPO clarifies on tribe recognition

Responding to the news item “ST only for Rongmeis whose ancestors listed in 1963 E-Roll” published on January 29, Zeliang People’s Organisation (ZPO), Nagaland has clarified that the words “ZPO chose to back tract” in the last paragraph did not “carry the voice of the Zeliang people” as stated. In a clarification, ZPO (N) president Kiezen and secretary Kerang Dumtta said the ZPO referred to the home department communiqué was only a registered society with a “few selfish and self styled leaders” who always went against the wishes of the people. Asserting that ZPO was a mandated civil society representing the Zeliang community of Peren district, the organization said the mandated ZPO stood firmly with the decision of the government in recognition of Rongmei as an “indigenous tribe” of Nagaland.