This is regarding the write up on Kaghalu Mulatonu by the Sumi National Workers of NSCN (IM) giving out the genealogy and stating that Kaghalu Mulatonu is not a Sumi but of doubtful identity. This official press release by the Sumi National Workers is the cheapest kind of dirty washing in the public.
The press release by Sumi national workers with the tacit permission of the Sumi leaders both of underground and over ground (otherwise, such dangerous press release cannot be made public) is highly condemnable, objectionable and offensive in the Naga Nation politics. Whatever the fault – if there is any – of Kaghalu Mulatonu, personal attacks of the crudest kind should not have been resorted to by the Sumis. The educated Phisami villagers also should have stood by their fellow citizen and not sold out Kaghalu Mulatonu for Judas’s Purse.
The Naga Struggle does not belong to Sumi, Tangkhul or Konyak tribesmen only but to all the tribes that constitute the Naga Nation. The fact is Kaghalu Mulatonu originally belongs to Sangtam tribe, formerly also known as TUCCU or TUKUMI or TUKUHOMI etc of “Yatsemi (Yingphire) extract” the oldest TUCCU (Sangtam) village located in Kiphire district, before his family migrated to “Yanchungre” area and then to Sumi village of Phisami. But Kaghalu Mulatonu family is no refugee because it was the practice then for a family or groups of families to migrate from one village to another, or for that matter, from one tribe to another in the distant past. It should be remembered by all that there was no tribalism yesterday as in today’s Nagaland.
The defamatory writings on Kaghalu Mulatonu by Sumi National workers is as if, if Kaghalu Mulatonu should be a “Sumi” first and foremost to fight for Naga Nation. Now that the real Sumis have raised the question, all wannabe Sumi national workers should search for his origins. Kaghalu Mulatonu should rename himself as “Kaghalu Mulatonu Sangtam” and all the Sumis of TUCCU origin should add “Sangtam” in their names because their forefathers are Sangtams, in fact “Satoi Range” and “Aghunato Range” in Zunheboto district is 90% and 70% Sangtam origin, also number of villages in Zunheboto district and so they should all seriously think about their true identity and re-discover their true blood. So should the Sangtams, presently suppressed as “Chakhro(nised) and Kezha(nised)” in the district of Phek, under the nomenclatures of Chakhesangs – an artificial tribal identity made up of Chakhros, Khezas and Sangtam tribes after the “Indian Independence” by the educated and NNC Chakhro and Khezha leaders must also start searching for their origins.
The point here is that Kaghalu Mulatonu, if he wishes (actually born in Sumi Village) to remain as a Sumi or come home to his ancient blood of Sangtam should not be insulted as if he is without an origin. If the Sumis say he (Kaghalu Mulatonu) is not a Sumi, then the Sangtams would be TRUE enough not to forsake him or his family. At the same time Qhehevi (Q. Tuccu)and Vizheto (V. Tuccu) of NSCN (IM) and others like G. Kaito, Hon’ble MLA, Satoi, if at anytime you are shamed and insulted by the Sumi brothers as being not Sumis, then, remember your true blood that flows in your veins and rename yourselves. Why should you be ashamed or have inferiority complex about your true identities, for “NO NAGA IS A REFUGEE, WITHOUT LAND OR BLOOD RELATIONS” and Sangtams will not disown you like the Sumis for you are all true Sangtams, good or bad.
A.T. Sangtam
Formerly a Sumi
Kohima
