Nagagenous group plays a folk tune using bamboo products during Tuluni festival at Zunheboto on July 8. (Morung Photo)
Zunheboto | July 8 : “Sumis can live and exist without me but I cannot live without the Sumis. Where will I go?” said N. Kitovi Zhimomi at Zunheboto on Friday during Tulunih Festival celebration organized by the Sumi Hoho. The main celebration for the premier festival of the Sumi community was held at Zunheboto where Ministers, Parliamentary Secretary, MLAs, ex-MLA and other public leaders attended. Isak Chishi Swu who was invited to join the celebration could not attend owing to tight schedule involving political talks with the Government of India.
In his absence the Sumi Hoho President, H. Hesso read out the message of Isak Chishi Swu who stated that the political talks with the Government of India had reached a crucial stage, which had made him unable to join the Tulunih festival celebration. Swu, however, stated that he will meet the Sumi people very soon.
Addressing a fully packed Town Hall, Kitovi exhorted the Sumis not to feel discouraged about Swu’s absence as the right time for them to meet the leader will come. Kitovi called upon the people to share their problems with him and said that he will also give his best for the cause of the Nagas.
He highlighted the sequence of events that led to the impeachment and expulsion of former GPRN/NSCN chairman, SS Khaplang who he said withdrew from the Covenant of Reconciliation and was against starting any dialogue with the Government of India. He said there were no other issues such as the love for power and status that led to the expulsion of Khaplang.
He disclosed that some youngsters within the group, without knowing the ideology of Khaplang, have expressed their desire to join the Khaplang group since they were initially known as NSCN (K). However, he added that such thoughts creep in the minds of young blood resulting in taking hasty decisions but that they will realize at the right time.
Alluding to the recent developments especially within the GPRN/NSCN set up, Kitovi sought the forgiveness of the people and added that all will be settled at an appropriate time. He said that the GPRN/NSCN as of now wanted to set aside issues such as sovereignty, freedom etc and first work towards stopping bloodshed and unifying the Nagas. According to Kitovi, issues can be resolved and rectified but that the loss of human life cannot be restored or repaired because of which he said peace and unity was the priority of the GPRN/NSCN. He also said that the Nagas or groups cannot wipe out one another.
He recalled that the unification of like minded national workers from NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) in 2007 was misunderstood but that there was no secret agenda as might have misconstrued by the people. Kitovi asserted that the people were only giving lip service to the move for unity and reconciliation process. He appealed the people to come together and work with concerted efforts for the betterment of the Nagas.
Pointing out that there was growing disunity within the Sumi community, the Sumi Hoho President in his speech called upon the gathering to seek God’s intervention and also to introspect. He emphasized on the need for reformation in the field of religion, politics and among the civil societies.
CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi in his speech stressed on the need for revamping the functioning of the churches which no more did much to preserve, maintain and uphold its sanctity. Minister for Roads and Bridges, G. Kaito Aye spoke about the problems of the people heavily burdened with taxations from several organizations.
Former Sumi Hoho President H.S. Rotokha, Sumi Baptist Council chairman Aheto and other leaders also spoke briefly at the programme. Minister Doshehe Y. Sema, Parliamentary Secretary Dr. K. C. Nihoshe, MLA K. Hollohon, ex-ministers and ex-MLAs, DC Zunheboto Kiheto, SP Zunheboto James Humtsoe and other dignitaries attended the progamme.
Students from Nito Theological College and members from Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Zunheboto presented special numbers while Nagagenous group played folk tunes using indigenous products like bamboo and other forest products. The gathering gave a thunderous applaud to the Nagagenous group for their performance.
During the cultural programme, troupes from Khukiye-Lukhai and Chishilimi villages performed drawing large crowd. Initially, the function went on with a noisy atmosphere as almost 500 people who could not get inside the houseful Town Hall jostled to have a glimpse of the programme going on inside.
In his absence the Sumi Hoho President, H. Hesso read out the message of Isak Chishi Swu who stated that the political talks with the Government of India had reached a crucial stage, which had made him unable to join the Tulunih festival celebration. Swu, however, stated that he will meet the Sumi people very soon.
Addressing a fully packed Town Hall, Kitovi exhorted the Sumis not to feel discouraged about Swu’s absence as the right time for them to meet the leader will come. Kitovi called upon the people to share their problems with him and said that he will also give his best for the cause of the Nagas.
He highlighted the sequence of events that led to the impeachment and expulsion of former GPRN/NSCN chairman, SS Khaplang who he said withdrew from the Covenant of Reconciliation and was against starting any dialogue with the Government of India. He said there were no other issues such as the love for power and status that led to the expulsion of Khaplang.
He disclosed that some youngsters within the group, without knowing the ideology of Khaplang, have expressed their desire to join the Khaplang group since they were initially known as NSCN (K). However, he added that such thoughts creep in the minds of young blood resulting in taking hasty decisions but that they will realize at the right time.
Alluding to the recent developments especially within the GPRN/NSCN set up, Kitovi sought the forgiveness of the people and added that all will be settled at an appropriate time. He said that the GPRN/NSCN as of now wanted to set aside issues such as sovereignty, freedom etc and first work towards stopping bloodshed and unifying the Nagas. According to Kitovi, issues can be resolved and rectified but that the loss of human life cannot be restored or repaired because of which he said peace and unity was the priority of the GPRN/NSCN. He also said that the Nagas or groups cannot wipe out one another.
He recalled that the unification of like minded national workers from NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) in 2007 was misunderstood but that there was no secret agenda as might have misconstrued by the people. Kitovi asserted that the people were only giving lip service to the move for unity and reconciliation process. He appealed the people to come together and work with concerted efforts for the betterment of the Nagas.
Pointing out that there was growing disunity within the Sumi community, the Sumi Hoho President in his speech called upon the gathering to seek God’s intervention and also to introspect. He emphasized on the need for reformation in the field of religion, politics and among the civil societies.
CLP leader Tokheho Yepthomi in his speech stressed on the need for revamping the functioning of the churches which no more did much to preserve, maintain and uphold its sanctity. Minister for Roads and Bridges, G. Kaito Aye spoke about the problems of the people heavily burdened with taxations from several organizations.
Former Sumi Hoho President H.S. Rotokha, Sumi Baptist Council chairman Aheto and other leaders also spoke briefly at the programme. Minister Doshehe Y. Sema, Parliamentary Secretary Dr. K. C. Nihoshe, MLA K. Hollohon, ex-ministers and ex-MLAs, DC Zunheboto Kiheto, SP Zunheboto James Humtsoe and other dignitaries attended the progamme.
Students from Nito Theological College and members from Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Zunheboto presented special numbers while Nagagenous group played folk tunes using indigenous products like bamboo and other forest products. The gathering gave a thunderous applaud to the Nagagenous group for their performance.
During the cultural programme, troupes from Khukiye-Lukhai and Chishilimi villages performed drawing large crowd. Initially, the function went on with a noisy atmosphere as almost 500 people who could not get inside the houseful Town Hall jostled to have a glimpse of the programme going on inside.
