First of all “Western Sumi Hoho” stands by the Naga Hoho’s statement on 28th July which says that “Intanki” did not belong to any individual or tribes but a national property for all Naga generations, and in line with this state, we want to let every Nagas to know the real name and status of “INTANKI RESERVED FOREST” of which the Zeliangrongs have been misleading the people by writing the concocted stories. The Zeliangrong want the people to make believe of their claim as owner over the land in question, twisted the original given mane “INTANKY” by the Britishers as “INTANKI or NDANGKI” which nomenclature happen to be a similar word to Zeliang’s language. In fact, the name of this forest was given by the Britishers during the 18th century in which time even the nomenclature of the “Zeliangrong” or Zeliang as a tribe was not yet coined. The Britishers named this forest the name of one British expeditionary “TANKY” who went into this forest on expedition and disappeared inside the forest, so in memory of “TANKY” the Bristishers named this forest “INTANKY”. But later on when the Britishers left India, the Zeliangrong in early 60s took undue advantage of the said forest being an adjacent to the Zeliangrongs land. The Zeliangrongs also took advantage of the departure of Britishers started calling this forest as “INTANGKI or NDANGKI” to suit their claim of ownership. On the other hand, the so called Zeliangrongs some times claim as the donor, and if it is true then why are the Zeliangrongs taking so much interest to go against the Sumis instead of appealing to the state government for solving the problem.
According to the official records available, this forest was transferred to Nagaland in 1891 and while transferring this forest to Nagaland, it was never given to any particular tribe for the fact that the Britishers were the sole owner over this forest from time immemorial until the said transferred was dealt. It is every peoples understanding and talk that the “Sun never set under the British empire” so also the forest land in question was also under the control and ownership of the Britishers. Had there been dispute between the Zeliangrongs and Britishers in those days over the claim of ownership, Nagas should acknowledge the right of Zeliangrongs as the owner or donor of this forest. But there is no official record neither any such stories that there was dispute over the claim of ownership with the Britishers. It is a known fact that the Zeliangrong was originally known as “KACHA NAGA” until late 60s because the usage was in vogue during the British regime, which is literally mean that they are sub-tribe or sub-Naga. Therefore, if the people are to seriously analyze/study the nomenclature of “KACHA” then the KACHA tribe claiming the ownership of such a vast areas without people does not match or worth of their claim. This sub-tribe or so called “Zeliangrongs” proudly claim the ownership of this forest is because of the “Tenyimi people Organization’s” blind support, who could not owned this forest. Had this forest not been under the ownership of the Britishers from time immemorial, which tribe is leading the “Tenyimi Peoples Organization” would have claimed the ownership over this forest, instead of supporting the Zeliangrongs. The motives of the Tenyimi might be to let one tribe pit against the other tribe so that they gain the lion share once their supporting mission is achieved. But Western Sumi Hoho make it clear to one and all Nagas that we are not claiming the ownership of this forest, but stand to say that it belong to the Nagas and the state is the proprietor. We have established the village in this area, because the state government allowed the Zeliangrongs or to be precise “collection of people” from neighboring states to establish the village without valid reason. We have time and again assured the state government and to the people that we shall not be a stumbling block in any way once the dubiously recognized village of the so called “Beisumpuikam” is also evicted. If the Sumi’s advocating the land in question belong to the state is wrong then what stand is appropriate for those people who hates and envy on Sumi’s. If at all the state Government applied the same yard stick to all the occupants not to stay/live there (the land in question), we shall be the first to let our people vacate. But allowing others to stay/live peacefully and forcing our people to vacate can not be tolerated at any cost.
On Beisumpuikam village GB’s reference to Intanki as not in Zunheboto, but it is in Peren, is just a baseless as stated above, because this forest was never placed under the jurisdiction of Peren nor to the Zeliangrongs. This forest is more than century older than the Peren district which is of recent creation by the state government, so the question of “Intanki” falls under Peren district does not arise. We reiterate our stand to say that, the so called (New) Beisumpuikam villagers are the collections of desperados or nomads from the neighboring states by few vested interest leaders to suit their claim of ownership. If any body or the state government have any doubt or in dispute on this claim, then the government or any one are welcome to satisfy himself by physical verifications.
On the status of the so called “New Beisumpuikam village, the state government is said to have been exchanged the land with the old Beisumpuikam, but one can see by himself that the said old village still exist, rather the so called old Beisumpuikam village was well developed after it is said to have been exchanged. More over, the state government in its recognition order clearly demarcated the said village as follows: 1. North: Reserve Forest boundary 2. East: Mongleu river 3. South: Jangdilwa and 4. West: Reserve Forest, which should be located at the point of “Misa Disa Nala” very much outside the Intanki Reserve Forest. Are these proven facts not satisfied to the “Tenyimi Peoples Organization” or for that matter to the Nagas in general? If so, what else more “Tenyimi People Organization” want Sumi’s to satisfy their wish. Western Sumi Hoho appeal to all tribe Hohos and civil societies to verify the spot and talk reality than the talk of hear say or believe the concocted stories by the vested interest group of people. We want our Naga brethren and sisters to understand that Sumi’s shall not be the stumbling block for the good of the Nagas, but never to compromise with the vested interest or bow out to the selfish motives. We shall stand by the fact and shall never allow those vested interest group of people or tribe (s) to be the owner over the common property of the Nagas. We also appeal to the state government to be judicious in dealing with this kind of problem arising out of some group of people’s instigation.
On our recent ultimatum to the state government to remove/demolish the war gates erected by the so called “Beisumpuikam” is because of the fact that we want every people feel free among the co-existence and it was not warranted when there was no war like situation within the vicinity. The Zeliangrongs and like minded people disclaiming as no war gates being erected should be proved by removing the existing gates from both the ends of the village to let the people pass through without fear and apprehensions. The so called “Beisumpuikam” villagers after erecting the war gates started attacking Sumi’s living at “Inavi” village and around, which is a proven fact that it was a pre-plan with intentions. But inspite of all these happenings, if the Zeliangrongs are to compromise by accepting the truth and reality, then we shall not shy away to meet or talk across the table with any group of people or Organisation (s) with open heart, so as to solve out the impasse/problem because we believe that nothing is impossible to settle/solve through peaceful and mutual discussion. In conclusion, we fervently appeal to all Naga brethren to rise above tribalism and hatreds among the Naga family.
L K Achumi
President,
Western Sumi Hoho
Vikato Shikhu
General Secretary,
Western Sumi Hoho
According to the official records available, this forest was transferred to Nagaland in 1891 and while transferring this forest to Nagaland, it was never given to any particular tribe for the fact that the Britishers were the sole owner over this forest from time immemorial until the said transferred was dealt. It is every peoples understanding and talk that the “Sun never set under the British empire” so also the forest land in question was also under the control and ownership of the Britishers. Had there been dispute between the Zeliangrongs and Britishers in those days over the claim of ownership, Nagas should acknowledge the right of Zeliangrongs as the owner or donor of this forest. But there is no official record neither any such stories that there was dispute over the claim of ownership with the Britishers. It is a known fact that the Zeliangrong was originally known as “KACHA NAGA” until late 60s because the usage was in vogue during the British regime, which is literally mean that they are sub-tribe or sub-Naga. Therefore, if the people are to seriously analyze/study the nomenclature of “KACHA” then the KACHA tribe claiming the ownership of such a vast areas without people does not match or worth of their claim. This sub-tribe or so called “Zeliangrongs” proudly claim the ownership of this forest is because of the “Tenyimi people Organization’s” blind support, who could not owned this forest. Had this forest not been under the ownership of the Britishers from time immemorial, which tribe is leading the “Tenyimi Peoples Organization” would have claimed the ownership over this forest, instead of supporting the Zeliangrongs. The motives of the Tenyimi might be to let one tribe pit against the other tribe so that they gain the lion share once their supporting mission is achieved. But Western Sumi Hoho make it clear to one and all Nagas that we are not claiming the ownership of this forest, but stand to say that it belong to the Nagas and the state is the proprietor. We have established the village in this area, because the state government allowed the Zeliangrongs or to be precise “collection of people” from neighboring states to establish the village without valid reason. We have time and again assured the state government and to the people that we shall not be a stumbling block in any way once the dubiously recognized village of the so called “Beisumpuikam” is also evicted. If the Sumi’s advocating the land in question belong to the state is wrong then what stand is appropriate for those people who hates and envy on Sumi’s. If at all the state Government applied the same yard stick to all the occupants not to stay/live there (the land in question), we shall be the first to let our people vacate. But allowing others to stay/live peacefully and forcing our people to vacate can not be tolerated at any cost.
On Beisumpuikam village GB’s reference to Intanki as not in Zunheboto, but it is in Peren, is just a baseless as stated above, because this forest was never placed under the jurisdiction of Peren nor to the Zeliangrongs. This forest is more than century older than the Peren district which is of recent creation by the state government, so the question of “Intanki” falls under Peren district does not arise. We reiterate our stand to say that, the so called (New) Beisumpuikam villagers are the collections of desperados or nomads from the neighboring states by few vested interest leaders to suit their claim of ownership. If any body or the state government have any doubt or in dispute on this claim, then the government or any one are welcome to satisfy himself by physical verifications.
On the status of the so called “New Beisumpuikam village, the state government is said to have been exchanged the land with the old Beisumpuikam, but one can see by himself that the said old village still exist, rather the so called old Beisumpuikam village was well developed after it is said to have been exchanged. More over, the state government in its recognition order clearly demarcated the said village as follows: 1. North: Reserve Forest boundary 2. East: Mongleu river 3. South: Jangdilwa and 4. West: Reserve Forest, which should be located at the point of “Misa Disa Nala” very much outside the Intanki Reserve Forest. Are these proven facts not satisfied to the “Tenyimi Peoples Organization” or for that matter to the Nagas in general? If so, what else more “Tenyimi People Organization” want Sumi’s to satisfy their wish. Western Sumi Hoho appeal to all tribe Hohos and civil societies to verify the spot and talk reality than the talk of hear say or believe the concocted stories by the vested interest group of people. We want our Naga brethren and sisters to understand that Sumi’s shall not be the stumbling block for the good of the Nagas, but never to compromise with the vested interest or bow out to the selfish motives. We shall stand by the fact and shall never allow those vested interest group of people or tribe (s) to be the owner over the common property of the Nagas. We also appeal to the state government to be judicious in dealing with this kind of problem arising out of some group of people’s instigation.
On our recent ultimatum to the state government to remove/demolish the war gates erected by the so called “Beisumpuikam” is because of the fact that we want every people feel free among the co-existence and it was not warranted when there was no war like situation within the vicinity. The Zeliangrongs and like minded people disclaiming as no war gates being erected should be proved by removing the existing gates from both the ends of the village to let the people pass through without fear and apprehensions. The so called “Beisumpuikam” villagers after erecting the war gates started attacking Sumi’s living at “Inavi” village and around, which is a proven fact that it was a pre-plan with intentions. But inspite of all these happenings, if the Zeliangrongs are to compromise by accepting the truth and reality, then we shall not shy away to meet or talk across the table with any group of people or Organisation (s) with open heart, so as to solve out the impasse/problem because we believe that nothing is impossible to settle/solve through peaceful and mutual discussion. In conclusion, we fervently appeal to all Naga brethren to rise above tribalism and hatreds among the Naga family.
L K Achumi
President,
Western Sumi Hoho
Vikato Shikhu
General Secretary,
Western Sumi Hoho
