We are deeply pained to have projected the good image of our Naga brothers and sisters through this ugly c3mage. We also want to say sorry to those women and children who were traumatized for no fault of theirs.
We are not writing this article to endorse the incident or to justify the action which we never wanted. We only wish to point out some of our humble opinion to our brothers and sisters that sometimes such things happen to open our eyes to see and to know the better thing.
We would like to make one thing clear that Sumis never wanted Tangkhul brothers and sisters to leave Zunheboto in particular or Nagaland in general. Fighting can erupt among the brothers or they might have destroyed each other’s property but that does not always mean that sense of brotherhood is done away with. We need to understand that one human life is worth more than 30 houses burnt. Had we so intended we could have easily manhandled or even killed those three guilty Tangkhul brothers. But we were not after the precious human life. We only wanted to express our accumulated resentments. We always wish that our patriotic Tangkhul brothers come out openly with their brave heart and live a free life as other Nagas are doing. But their history and events never seem to change, as we are all aware that any news they (Tangkhuls) make is bad news like killing, hurting, etc., which has attracted so much criticism and hatred resulting in a ‘quit notice’ served to them by Aos at Mokokchung, by Chakhesangs at Phek and the recent outburst of anger on them by Sumis.
It is high time that our Tangkhul brothers ponder over and ask yourselves why no one can truly love you. True love and happiness cannot be won by guns but by Heart. In order to coexist as brothers in a society, one should do good deeds and contribute goodwill as well, which we hardly receive from our Tangkhul brothers. We always wonder how so much grumbles and hearsay about Tangkhuls can be rumored when we hardly see any Tangkhul in the open street. Conclusively, everybody takes for granted that something fishy is going on underground.
People talk about Law of the land and customs, but are we really capable of handling those evil designs concealed in a sick mind by the so-called “Law”?? Law is only applicable to something which can be substantiated, but not on something without proof. But when the people’s sentiments are toyed beyond their limit and find out that the Law cannot protect their very life, they begin to opt for self-defence rather than wait for the law indefinitely. We also want to make one thing clear that it is always better to sort out something for good even if we have to fight or quarrel for that, rather than to be friends, or brothers in disguise.
However; we honestly acknowledge that Tangkhuls are Nagas and our brothers. And for which we are concerned especially for the future that lies ahead of us. We earnestly request our Tangkhul brothers to forgive us if we have hurt them in our action and opinion. But as we express our opinion, if there is anything which is worth adopting by you for strengthening our common goal, we are all blessed. May God bless you.
Hevishe Sumi, Toito Sumi,
Vitokhu Sumi, Romeo Sumi, Dimapur
