As per the press release by the Seyochung Village Council that appeared in local daily dated 19th 2007 on the forcible expulsion of the 26 Sumi families from the Seyochung Village, we would like to clarify on the falsification of the facts made by the chairman SVC Mr. Vihuto and 2nd G.B Khaliba. It is disheartening that the above mentioned person have distorted the truth so as to justify their in-human act of issuing the Quit Notice to the 26 Sumi families of Seyochung Village. First of all as far the past is concerned our great grandfather Lt. Kughalu migrated from Sukhalu Village which is in Zunheboto District at present and he along with Lt. Seyochung, Lt. Ghutha and Lt. Zuseri were instrumental in establishing the Seyochung Village.
For further clarification on the establishment of the Village, we would advice the Village Chairman and the 2nd G.B to go through the record on the establishment of the Seyochung which has been submitted to the D.C Kiphire, therefore, how can the Village Chairman and the 2nd G.B state that there is no Sumi in the Village. More over the presence of Sumi in the Village is a well known fact as per the news item that appeared in the Morung Express Dated 18th June 2007 “Sangtam Students clarify” where the Seyochung Student Body elaborated on the use of Traditional Shawl both Sangtam and Sumi traditional shawls and also the use of Sumi dialect for linguistic convenience during Seyochung Student’s Union Session can be the best example of the presence Sumi in Seyochung Village.
The claim made by Mr. Vihuto and 2nd G.B of Seyochung Village in this regard appears to be contradictory with the news item in the Morung Express by the Seyochung Student Body, so there is confusion even between them. The Village Council chairman Mr. Vihuto who is a Sumi by blood can call himself a Sangtam as he wishes but should not drag the other Sumi of the Village as being called as Sangtam. Secondly, they also had stated that these 26 Sumis families were the adopted sons and daughters of Lt. Setouthsing of Old Monger and Lt. Ghuheth. It is beyond one’s imagination that sons and daughters of Lt. Kughalu one of the pioneers of the Village establishment would accept to be called as adopted sons and daughters of Lt. Seothsing and Lt. Ghuhetha.
I would like to know from the village chairman and the 2nd G.B to clarify in what way Sumis in seyochung happens to be adopted sons and daughters. This claims made by the V.C chairman and 2nd G.B are most dangerous, egoist than any ‘ism’ minded person who masquerades as a protagonist of the welfare of the Village but act on communal line. For further this very claim has purely defamed and maliced the Clan members of Lt. Kughalu for which we are ready to file defamation case against the Chairman and the 2nd G.B for their duplicity of attitude and divergence in percept and practice. Regarding their claim on the non-violation of Human Rights is not a violation of Human Rights? When the salaries of the Village Guards who inspite of their meager salary guarded the Village but were denied their salaries which was held by the Village Council, when there is Government Machinery which only has the sole authority to do so.
Moreover, is it not a violation of Human Rights when the Sumis of the Seyochung were forced to abandon Jhum Cultivation in 2006 and 2007 for the best reason known by the Seyochung Village Council? We would like to question the SVC what is the rehabilitation package for these Sumis who were forced to abandon Jhum Cultivation? Is this Quit Notice to the Sumis the rehabilitation package? They also had alleged that these Sumis were expelled from the Village on the Ground of non participation in meeting and community services. It is highly condemnable how one can involve in community service when there is presence of dictatorial attitude and bias shown to certain community by the Village Council members. It is also interesting that the Village Council Chairman Mr. Vihuto who is a great great grandson of Lt. Ghuhetha and who is spearheading the expulsion of the Sumis was beaten up by the Sangtam of Seyochung Village in the past for his objection to the Seyochung Village affiliation to USBLA, however, today he is at the peck and call of the Sangtam of the Seyochung Village their by discarding himself and his family members of their identities. The descendents of Lt. Kughalu and Lt. Khuzhelho the younger brother of Lt. Kughalu appeal to the Sangtam members of Seyochung Village and also to the District Administration to view seriously the in human act of the Seyochung Village Council.
Sahovi, Pukhazhe, Viheshe, Nitovi, Khatovi, Hevukhu, Jehovi, Honizhe
Great grandsons of Lt. Khuzhelo younger brother of Lt. Kughalu.
