TSU clarifies position on Tikhir representation

DIMAPUR: Tikhir Students’ Union (TSU) has taken serious note of the confusion and commotion that have emerged over the past two to three months, stating that developments pursued by certain individuals out of personal or vested interests did not represent the collective interests, aspirations or mandate of the Tikhir people.
TSU president Temong Y. Tikhir, general secretary Napoleon K, executive chairman T. Rechongkiu and executive secretary Bokti Bosco T. Tikhir said the Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) convened an Emergency Consultative Meeting on September 1, 2026, at its headquarters in Kiusam, attended by representatives of all frontal organisations, GBs, village councils, elders and Tikhir intellectuals.
It said the meeting deliberated on matters requiring urgent consideration and reaffirmed the decisions jointly taken on March 10, 2026, at Anatongre, including the decision concerning the interim member for the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
TSU said the meeting also reaffirmed the collective position of the Tikhir general public that the self-styled group led by R.T. Kius had no mandate to represent the Tikhir people and was declared null and void. The union said the sanctity, unity and institutional integrity of the Tikhir tribe could not be compromised on account of individual disagreements or personal interests. It further stated that the formation of the self-styled group led by R.T. Kius was initiated by suspended TTC officials R. James and Tsuvikiu YS. The TSU said the group was not constituted within the recognised jurisdiction of the TTC and did not possess any mandate from the Tikhir general public to convene meetings or represent the Tikhir people within the tribe or before institutions or authorities outside the Tikhir jurisdiction. TSU said any unauthorised or unmandated group could not claim authority to convene meetings, issue directives, correspond with authorities or represent the Tikhir tribe by taking the name of established tribal institutions. It urged government authorities, tribal bodies, institutions, organisations and members of the public not to recognise or entertain the group or its members in any official capacity, including in meetings, correspondence and institutional dealings. The union also cautioned against being misled by representations made by individuals or groups without the mandate of the Tikhir general public or authority of established tribal institutions.
TSU reiterated that the Tikhir general public, through the appropriate tribal forum or joint meetings, had already taken a clear position and declared the said self-styled body to have no legitimacy or mandate to represent the Tikhir people. It said any representation made by the group claiming to speak or act on behalf of the Tikhir people should not be treated as the officially recognised position of the TTC or established tribal institutions.
The clarification, it said, was issued in the interest of tribal unity, institutional integrity, peace and harmony and to prevent further confusion, misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the Tikhir tribe.