Expressing dismay over the claim made by Kuki Inpi Nagaland (KIN) that Sumis of Kiphire enjoyed 4% reservation, the Kiphire Tuensang District Sumi Students’ Union (KTDSSU) Monday stated that Sumis of Kiphire enjoyed 2% reservation only.
KTDSSU through its media cell termed KIN’s claim as “misinformation and distorted fact” and maintained that it would have been appropriate had KIN come out with facts and “avoid misguiding the people through print media.” KDTSSU also stated that drawing analogy in line with Sumis of Kiphire to include Kukis under Peren district was “totally baseless.”
Before drawing any analogy in line with the Sumis of Kiphire, the union said it could have been appropriate if historical background about the Sumis under Kiphire district had been studied.
It said that Sumis of Kiphire had been inhabiting the district much prior to 1957 when NEFA was merged with Naga Hills district to create Nagaland state.
Apart from being economically and educationally backward, KDTSSU said the Sumis of Kiphire had been deprived of opportunity as they were under the “Un-administrated Area” in the erstwhile NEFA.
However, the union said that the government of Nagaland under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio after recognizing the unique history had granted 2% reservation to the Sumis of Kiphire.
Stating that it had no interest in meddling in the demand for inclusion of Kukis of Peren under reservation policy, the KTDSSU has, therefore, urged KIN to avoid meddling in the issue of others and address their problems basing on the facts and rights of their demand.