Zemes submits memorandum

Guwahati, Dec 01 (UNI) The Zemes, the second most important tribal group of the NC Hills of Asom, today alleged that they were not given proper importance and were being cornered now by a 'controversial' delimitation of local tribal council.

Addressing a news conference here, the Zeme Council informed that they had submitted a memorandum to Governor Lt. Gen Ajai Sinha asserting that their political rights had been 'snatched away' by the new delimitation of the constituencies.

The Zeme Naga Delegation of N.C.Hills led by Tribal Apex Body Zeme Council along with Zeme students' Union, Asom, called on the Governor and submitted the memorandum alleging racial discrimination in the districts.

''The mighty British tried to subdue the Zeme Naga people and established the first sub-divisional headquarter at Zeme Naga village called Asalu. Zeme, being peace loving people, ceaselessly tried to create conducive atmosphere. But its unfortunate that Zemes were the victims of most backward among the Sixth(VI) schedule Tribals of the N.C.Hills and partiality of the Government, even though the community is the second largest population in a district,'' said Council General Secretary H Marshall Newme.

''Mostly residing in the border areas of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya the Government is not keen to bring development for Zeme community as well as in the Zeme areas, instead always exploited economically,politically and socially,'' alleged Mr. N T Zeme, council president.

''The present N C Hills Autonomous Council had moved the delimitation bill in an un-official manner by violating the fundamental rights by excluding the Zeme Naga Tribes, where from the beginning we have been demanding creation of two Zeme Naga Constituencies besides the existing one,'' he said.

The governor assured the delegation that the Zeme Tribe would be given justice and equality.

UNI MT-SG PL KLC1718