Rengma Nagas settled in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) region have been allegedly served a one-month ultimatum by the Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KPLT) to either accept the identity of the Karbi or leave the place.
Speaking to Nagaland Post over phone from an undisclosed location, CNRH/NRHPF chairman Keyhang Rengma said on Monday a meeting was forcibly called by KPLT at one Karbi village, Tisso village, where Rengma village GBs, leaders, pastors and elders.
The call for Monday’s meeting was purportedly conveyed to the Rengma villages through a GB by KPLT threatening with dire consequences.
At the meeting, KPLT allegedly told the Rengam Nagas to decide their fate within one month i.e. on or before July 9 next.
Maintaining how could Rengma Nagas become Karbis, CNRH/NRHPF chairman Keyhang appealed to all the Nagas to intervene and help seek justice.
He also alleged KPLT has been carrying out extorting in Rengma Naga villages, saying villagers have been living in fear with daily harassment meted out to them by Karbi militants.
Also, alleging that Assam government has “intentionally” neglected Rengmas, CNRH chairman said several representations and memorandums citing grievances of the Rengmas had been submitted to Assam government but so far nothing has been addressed.
He said Rengma Nagas have about 21 villages, but there was no development, no employment avenues, and were facing a lot of grievances.
CNRH/NRHPF chairman said Rengmas have been settled there even before the first Burmese invasion of Ahom in 1816, adding that traditional geographical boundary of the Rengma Hills was declared by the British on April 18, 1841. Keyhang Rengma said there were valid documents to substantiate the claim.
It may be mentioned that in January 2013, members of Rengma tribe demanding the creation of Naga Rengma Hills Autonomous Council (NRHAC) in Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) formed CNRH with an armed wing called NRHPF.
CNRH/NRHPF had stated that the organization was launched to claim the tribe’s “legitimate right” though the creation of NRHAC in Assam and it was not directed against any community, tribe or religion.
The organization vowed to achieve its objectives to restore “past glory” and attain a separate “homeland.”
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