Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) has strongly objected to the exclusion of the Sumi tribe in the ENPO demand for ‘Frontier Nagaland’.
A 23-member delegation from ESH met the governor of Nagaland and submitted memorandum seeking redressal.
Addressing press conference at Hotel Japfu, here Monday, ESH advisor S. Zhevihe Sumi stated that ENPO has been projecting the proposed ‘Frontier Nagaland’ belonging only to six tribes of Sangtam, Yimchunger, Chang, Phom, Khiamiungan and Konyak by “mischievously” excluding Sumi tribe, which was one of the major tribes in Kiphiri district with Sangtam and Yimchunger.
Highlighting the background, ESH advisor said there were 22 villages and towns out of which 21 were under the jurisdiction of Kiphiri and one under Tuensang district. He said as early as 1878, Sumi tribe established Phisami village followed by 10 more villages solely by Sumi natives.
The advisor also informed that it was surprising that the Department of Under Development Area (DUD) was meant for eastern areas yet Sumis were not given the opportunity while also in employment sector like teacher recruitment (in 1998) Sumis were denied and likewise in police department, none was allotted to the Sumis of Eastern Nagaland.
He also regretted that many economic packages were granted to eastern Nagaland, but Sumis were not reflected in the package.
ESH advisor Hokheto Yepthomi added that had there been no involvement of Sumi leaders, Kiphire district would not be created. Despite that, he said ENPO did not take Sumi into confidence.
To queries on the delay of raising the issue, the advisor informed that many attempts had been made for a meeting and the last one on August 30. However, he said since they received the letter only on August 29, ESH declined to attend the meeting.
He also informed that ESH wrote a letter seeking clarification the position of the Sumis within 45 days, but ENPO did not respond.
Yepthomi also replied that affiliation to ENPO did not arise since the existence of Sumi was there since time immemorial.
The eight-page memorandum signed by ESH president Vikato Yeptho and general secretary Z. Robert Heeto stated that ENPO does not have the right to use Sumi land and the Sumi population census in the proposed ‘Frontier Nagaland map’ while discarding the legitimacy of the tribe and treating the Sumis as non-entity in their own land, which tantamount to gross violation of human rights.
ESH said it has exhausted all its sincere attempts to discuss this grave issue with the stakeholders and miserable failures of the state machineries to address its plight.
The hoho has therefore sought the intervention of the governor and convey the matter to the government of India that:
1) Sumi tribe was one of the major native tribes of Eastern Nagaland and therefore should be included in the proposed Frontier Nagaland along with other stakeholder tribes or
2) Exclude the Sumi’s ancestral land with its topography and demography and population census from ‘Frontier Nagaland demand’ and initiate reorganization of the areas inhabited by Sumi tribes in Eastern Nagaland including all arrangements, as may be necessary, in consultation with and concurrence of ESH or
3) Involve ESH along with ENPO in all talks by the government of India as far as Frontier Nagaland was concerned.
Failing which, ESH said it would oppose the proposed demand of Frontier Nagaland as it directly threatened the existing of Sumi Tribe and their political, social, historical and all other legitimate rights.
ESH officials informed that Governor assured the delegation to look into the matter and ensure that ESH is not discriminated.