YAA golden jubilee celebration imbroglio

Tikhir Students’ Union (TSU) has temporarily called off the ‘youth strike’ imposed along NH-202 against Yimchunger Students’ Union jubilee celebration at Shamator town. 

In a press release, TSU president S. Longkamse and general secretary Temong Y Tikhir stated that the strike was called off as a gesture of “outmost respect” to DC Tuensang’s notification.

TSU while appreciating the state government for positively responding to their memorandum, further urged upon the government “to kindly adhere to the standing notification and impose necessary rules and action against YAA from holding their Jubilee at Shamator town, so that untoward incidents may be avoided”. 

TSU cautioned saying, if the government fails “to impose necessary law and order situation”, TSU would not be held responsible for any kind of eventuality.

Reacts, rebut statements: TSU in another press note said it was compelled to rebut some of the statements issued by Public Forum Pungro Sub-Division (PFPSD) and Yimchunger GBs’ Forum/Public Forum Shamator on the Shamator issue, published in section of the local dailies.

On the claims that the land, which is now Shamator Town, was donated by four villages including Shamator village for the establishment of Yimchungrü Hq, TSU urged PFPSD to get their facts right on the issue. It stated that the “land owners of Shamator town never donated any land for establishment of Yimchunger’s Hq., nor was land given for illegal activities of Yimchungers”. 

TSU said PFPSD could get a copy of the letter submitted by the joint council of Shamator village (land owners of Shamator town), Wapher village and Leankonger village to Commissioner Nagaland in October 2015 clarifying that land was given to the state government for establishment of administrative Hq. and not to the Yimchungers. 

It pointed out that the desperate attempt of PFPSD to back YTC’s fictitious claim on Shamator town would never destroy the fact. 

On the claim that “there was no occasion of dispute over Shamator town among donor villages, but the state government had blindly and maliciously declared Shamator town as disputed land”— TSU said it agreed that there was no dispute among the donor villages. 

While not denying that the dispute was between the Tikhirs (donors) and Yimchungers, TSU said Yimchungres “falsely claimed that the land was donated for establishment of their Headquarters”. 

Taking note of the issue, TSU said the state government declared Shamator town as disputed town along with other towns in the state, and disallowed holding of conferences/Christian associations on many occasions.

It said that the cabinet’s decision to disallow holding of YAA jubilee at the disputed town-Shamator was nothing but revalidation of their (govt) earlier stand. 

However, TSU said that if the state government fails to uphold its earlier decision due to pressure from Yimchunger organizations including PFPSD, it would open a pandora’s box and the government would have no words to say on such issues next time.

It further stated that the state cabinet made a decision simply because of a complaint lodged by “handful of the Yimchungrüs” for disallowing YAA golden jubilee at Shamator Town. 

On PFPSD/YGBF/PFS claim that Shamator issue was “a mere kitchen problem” between Yimchungrüs and Yimchungrüs and no other tribes, TSU reminded the organizations and Yimchunger leaders to note that Tikhirs have their own kitchen, hearth and properties under the roof of Tikhir Tribal Council. 

It also asked whether they have not seen Tikhir villages/Churches/Students’ unions celebrating their jubilees, attacked and burnt villages of other tribe called Tikhir in recent past?

TSU said rather that living in a make-believe world, PFPSD in particular and Yimchungers in general should accept the fact that the Yimchunger-Tikhir imbroglio is a decades-old conflict among members from two separate kitchens, to forcefully take away land and identity of Tikhirs.

The statement of PFPSD– “Yimchungrüs were not forcing upon anybody’s land and property but decided to host the celebration programme on its own soil and property” – TSU said in contrary, they are “not just trying to host the YAA jubilee but are forcing upon the land and property of Tikhirs against their will”. 

TSU said Tikhirs have every right to approach/write a complaint/memorandum or any kind of letter to their democratically elected government to address the issue.  It said TSU would oppose tooth and nail, if YAA chooses to hold conference in Tikhirs’ soil. 

“With or without the help of the state government, Tikhirs are ready to defend their democratic rights and ancestral land at all cost”, TSU added.

In this regard, TSU has appealed to the state government to uphold the January 2 cabinet decision to avoid law and order problem that may arise if YAA jubilee is held at Shamator. TSU further asked the government “to pay serious attention to Yimchunger-Tikhir imbroglio and device means to bring about a sustainable solution not less than two separate tribes solution”.

Shamator Village Council (SVC) and Kiusam Area GB’s Union (KAGBU) in two separate press notes have sought clarification from PFPSD president, S. Kiusumew over his “cheap and false” statement on the Yimchunger-Tikhir imbroglio.

SVC head GB, Shulimkiu advised Kiusumew not to “headlong to press on hearsay” without knowing the true history. Kiusumew had earlier stated that the “land for establishment of administrative headquarters for Yimchungrü tribe was parted by four villages, including Shamator village”. 

SVC said “such adapted/adopted history” of Shamator was unacceptable since the land belonged to Shamator village and which would be protected at any cost. SVC also questioned PFPSD president, asked the PFPSD president as to how could “killing, torturing and burning down of the houses and granaries at Shamator village by Yimchungers” be treated as secondary? 

SVC warned that anyone or any organisation(s) trying to modify or exaggerate the true history of Shamator would be dealt individually in accordance with the customary law. It also asked those involved who were willing to know in depth the history, to approach the council. 

Also reacting to the PFPSD statement, KAGBU general secretary, Khiungchumong Tikhir and Thangpong Tikhir alleged that Kiusumew was “neither Tikhir nor a Yimchunger”, and that he had no right whatsoever to interfere in other tribes business. 

They claimed that as Kiusumew belonged to Makury tribe, his view and opinions should be confined to his tribe/community. 

KAGBU also demanded that Kiusumew furnish proof and documents as to which four villages parted their land for establishment of administrative Hq for Yimchunger tribe. KAGBU further reminded PFPSD president that had it been kitchen problem, the state cabinet should not have intervened and issued and order disallowing YAA to hold the golden jubilee at Shamator town.

PACSU supports YAA’s decision
Pungro Area College Student’s Union (PACSU) has strongly backed the decision of YAA in deferring its golden jubilee celebration to January 14-17.  In a press note, PACSU president, Achung Yimchungru, said YAA had been lenient enough in adhering to appeal made by the state cabinet. However, the union said the decision to disallow the jubilee celebration was beyond expectations of the students’ community and the public.
While reminding the government that it should have taken the decision after going through all the pros and cons of the situation/facts available, PACSU accused the cabinet of making “harsh and hasty” decision by ignoring all the evidence and legal rights. Therefore, PACSU said it supported the decision of YAA in order to maintain peace and tranquillity in Yimchungru jurisdiction.