By Philip Thanglienmang
PART I: UNIFICATION PERIOD (1950-1965)
Birth of Jou National Council
Jou National council was founded on 23 May 1954 at Grimson Road Imphal. The first President of JNC was Late S.Semkhopao and its first Chief Secretary was Late T. Khup Grace. After a term of 3 years, the chiefs, members and other distinguished persons met at Tuoitengphai village for general conference. The name Jou National Council was rechristened as United Manipur Jou Organization(UMJO).
Recognition of Jou Tribe
Under the leadership of Late S.Semkhopao, President, UMJO, Late T. Khup Grace Chief Secretary and Pu. T. Gougin Treasurer, the UMJO representatives represented the case for recognition of the JOU tribe to the Commissioner for SC/ST, Government of India. In the last part of 1956 the JOU tribe was recognized by the Government of India. The spelling employed for the tribe was JOU.
The first JOU TON
The first JOU TON was held at Tuoitengphai village on the 24th January 1959. The Chief Commissioner of Manipur Late J.M Raina was invited as the Chief Guest of that ocassion. But he failed to make it to the august celebration, thereupon, the Jou people vented their displeasure by undertaking a long march from Tuoitengphai village to Old Churachandpur where the seat of Government was located in those days.
2nd JOU TON
The second Jou Ton was held on the 4th February 1960 at Tuoitengphai village again. In that celebration Late J.M. Raina was the Chief Guest of the ocassion.
In that conference the spelling of the tribe was changed from JOU to ZOU, interchanging the J and Z to attain similarity of usage with Zo brethren in Burma(as told by Rev. David K.Samte, 1994, Lamka to the author).
3rd ZO TON
The 3rd Zo Conference was held on 12th February 1961 at Singtom village. The number of participants were recorded as 3000 souls. Pu. Sienjahau, Pu. Vummang, Sub. Thangkhokam, Pu Nengjachin, Sub.Eljapao and Upa Thangkhogin were the main organizers of that eventful celebration. The organizers welcomed the President and Chief Secretary of UMJO with horse ride from the bottom of the village to the site of the conference while the UMJO flag fluttered in the breezy day. One huge mithun was killed for the common meal. The name of United Jou Organization Manipur(UMJO) was changed into United Zomi Organization Manipur(UZO) at that conference. Pu T. Gougin an ex-servicemen had an excellent rapport with the ex-servicemen Zos of Tengnoupal District now known as Chandel district. He was in fact, the connecting link between the Gungals i.e Lamka and Sugnu areas. He unified the various Zo clans into a well-knit organization in the form of UZO although they were speaking different Zo dialects. Thus, he came be given the title of Unifier of Zo people. From 1962-70 UZO became dormant and defunct due to lack of good leadership.
Part II : DISINTEGRATION PERIOD(1970-1993)
Coming soon...........
PART I: UNIFICATION PERIOD (1950-1965)
Birth of Jou National Council
Jou National council was founded on 23 May 1954 at Grimson Road Imphal. The first President of JNC was Late S.Semkhopao and its first Chief Secretary was Late T. Khup Grace. After a term of 3 years, the chiefs, members and other distinguished persons met at Tuoitengphai village for general conference. The name Jou National Council was rechristened as United Manipur Jou Organization(UMJO).
Recognition of Jou Tribe
Under the leadership of Late S.Semkhopao, President, UMJO, Late T. Khup Grace Chief Secretary and Pu. T. Gougin Treasurer, the UMJO representatives represented the case for recognition of the JOU tribe to the Commissioner for SC/ST, Government of India. In the last part of 1956 the JOU tribe was recognized by the Government of India. The spelling employed for the tribe was JOU.
The first JOU TON
The first JOU TON was held at Tuoitengphai village on the 24th January 1959. The Chief Commissioner of Manipur Late J.M Raina was invited as the Chief Guest of that ocassion. But he failed to make it to the august celebration, thereupon, the Jou people vented their displeasure by undertaking a long march from Tuoitengphai village to Old Churachandpur where the seat of Government was located in those days.
2nd JOU TON
The second Jou Ton was held on the 4th February 1960 at Tuoitengphai village again. In that celebration Late J.M. Raina was the Chief Guest of the ocassion.
In that conference the spelling of the tribe was changed from JOU to ZOU, interchanging the J and Z to attain similarity of usage with Zo brethren in Burma(as told by Rev. David K.Samte, 1994, Lamka to the author).
3rd ZO TON
The 3rd Zo Conference was held on 12th February 1961 at Singtom village. The number of participants were recorded as 3000 souls. Pu. Sienjahau, Pu. Vummang, Sub. Thangkhokam, Pu Nengjachin, Sub.Eljapao and Upa Thangkhogin were the main organizers of that eventful celebration. The organizers welcomed the President and Chief Secretary of UMJO with horse ride from the bottom of the village to the site of the conference while the UMJO flag fluttered in the breezy day. One huge mithun was killed for the common meal. The name of United Jou Organization Manipur(UMJO) was changed into United Zomi Organization Manipur(UZO) at that conference. Pu T. Gougin an ex-servicemen had an excellent rapport with the ex-servicemen Zos of Tengnoupal District now known as Chandel district. He was in fact, the connecting link between the Gungals i.e Lamka and Sugnu areas. He unified the various Zo clans into a well-knit organization in the form of UZO although they were speaking different Zo dialects. Thus, he came be given the title of Unifier of Zo people. From 1962-70 UZO became dormant and defunct due to lack of good leadership.
Part II : DISINTEGRATION PERIOD(1970-1993)
Coming soon...........
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