PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
February 20, 2013, Ciimnuai

It brings me immense pleasure to learn that the main event of the 65th Anniversary of Zomi National Day is being celebrated at Thyagaraj Stadium, INA Colony, New Delhi, India. The Day shall be celebrated and remembered as the Day of ‘power to the people.’ The 20th century experienced the triumph of democracy over totalitarianism. Zomi National Day is the fall-out of the triumph of democracy over despotic and totalitarianism rule of fascism.
The triumphant of democracy in the 20th century has been invisible to the people of Burma till date. The people of Burma have been denied their democratic rights. In the recent past, a new Constitution was drafted by persons hand-picked by the Military Junta, which by convention and constitution is to be drafted by peoples’ representatives. The new Constitution miserably failed to neither devolve power to the people nor meet the aspirations of the people.

The Zomi Re-unification Organization (ZRO) will continuously strive for the restoration of democracy in Burma and will use all its resources at its disposal both at the national and international level. On this historic occasion, I, on behalf of ZRO, exhort and call upon the people of Burma to fearlessly fight for democratic form of government. With firm determination we shall fight and with faith and vision we will struggle.

The ZRO in Manipur has been demanding for an Autonomous Hill State within the State of Manipur under the aegis of United Peoples’ Front (UPF). Several rounds of talks have been held with the Government. It is our hope that ‘state within state’ will be carved out as per our aspiration. Your aspiration is our aspiration!
It is also pertinent to note that the ZRO has in no way abandoned nor renounced the long-term policy of its international goal. It firmly stands for the ultimate emotional, cultural and administrative re-unification of the post-colonial scattered Zo people. The ZRO will with resolute determination continue to fight for the cause of the Zomi without fear and will not flinch back in its resolve to attain its cherished goal.

As we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Zomi National Day, may this occasion rekindle and rejuvenate the spirit of Zo nationalism, cement unity and foster Zo brotherhood. I also salute and pay my sincere homage to the brave sons of the Zomi who made supreme sacrifices beyond the call of duty for the just and genuine cause of the Zo people. It is their sacrifices that still inspires and give us the hope to move forward.

God Bless Zoland!
With you for Truth & Freedom!
(THANGLIANPAU)
President, ZRO