The Sümi Hoho (SH) has elected new team of office bearers for the tenure 2024-2027 during Sümi Baghi Hoho (Sümi general public meeting) held at Multi Purpose Hall, Zunheboto town on July 26, 2024.
The new team led by Dr. Vihuto Asümi as president include Dr. Hotokhu Chishi (vice president), Hotoshe Sema (general secretary), Akükatou Ikuto K Yepthomi, Hetoshe Zhimomi and Vikavi Assümi (secretaries), Vikiho Arkha (finance secretary) and Akükau Müghavi Zhimo as (asst finance secretary). Western Sümi Hoho president and search committee convenor Shikaho Zhimomi declared the new team of Sümi Hoho for the tenure 2024-27.
At the meeting, resolution committee convenor, Vihoshe Mürü, also read out ten-point resolution that was unanimously adopted by the congregation of over 1,000 people from all walks of life.
Among the resolution, the main resolution pertaining to child adoption stated that there was no objection to the adoption of Naga children. However, if a non-Naga child was adopted, they should not be given a Sümi name nor should they receive a no-objection certificate for Scheduled Tribe and Indigenous Inhabitant Certificates.
According to customary law, the resolution said they have no hereditary property inheritance rights, and village chieftains rights. It stated that adopted non-locals who subjugate any Sümi or instigate falsehoods among Nagas will face heavy penalties.
Speaking at the meeting, minister for PWD (R&B), G. Kaito Aye, highlighted the development works being carried out and those in the pipeline for the district. He urged Sümi Kükami to lead with honesty, dedication, and foresight. Kaito also called upon the SH and Sümi frontal organisations to focus on development in the district and to take stern action against GBs and retired government servants who have joined various underground factions.
Addressing the gathering, commissioner & secretary, Y. Kikheto Sema, urged the Sümi community members to maintain peaceful relationships with all Naga tribes.
He also requested the Sümis to refrain from the negative use of social media. He discouraged GBs from involving themselves in faction groups.
He also emphasised the need for clean elections, noting that Sümi has the highest election expenditure, and thus the public should not blame politicians for the lack of development.
Former president of SH, Dr. Hokishe Yeputhomi, encouraged Sümi leaders from village levels to apex bodies to demonstrate their leadership qualities as expected by the community.
Er. Picto Shohe, MLA, and Sümi Kükami Hoho (SKH) president Akükau Hetoho Zhimomi appealed to all denominations to celebrate the quasquicentennial of Christianity in the Sümi area.
Earlier, the programme commenced with an invocation by Zunheboto Town Sümi Baptist Church pastor Rev. Inakhu Sümi.
Delivering the president’s address, SH president I. Nikheto Jimomi welcomed the gathering and expressed his appreciation to the Sümi legislators, present and former leaders of Sümi frontal organisations, Sümi elders, church members, and prayer warriors for their unwavering support to the Sümi Hoho over the past three years. At the programme, Tolino Chishi was also felicitated for her successful achievement in clearing the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exam.
Sümi Baptist Church Zunheboto pastor Dr. Hutton Sümi prayed for the incoming and outgoing SH office bearers and executive council members. Sümi Hoho general secretary, finance secretary and Sümi youth organisation presented the annual reports at the meeting.
The programme, chaired by SH vice president Hokishe Kiba and recorded by SH joint secretary Hotoshe Sema, concluded with benediction by the assistant pastor of Zunheboto Town Sümi Baptist Church.