Dimapur, April 7 (MExN): Sumi students of Kiphire district are unhappy over a gate erected at Ngoromi village extending a welcome into the ‘land of the Sangtam.’ The gate carrying the welcome ‘Welcome to Sangtam Land’ has been erected as a village gate, on Kohima road, and constructed under DUDA 2005-2006.
According to a note appended by Kiphire District Sumi Students Union executives, the gate is erected ‘exactly’ on the Kiphire district boundary contrary to the claim of the words on the gate, supported by pictures of Sangtam traditional items on it. The display ‘logically’ indicates that the entire Kiphire district is owned by the Sangtam community alone, the union stated.
The union made it clear that the Sumi community is also an indigenous inhabitant of Kiphire and have co-existed with the Sangtam and Yimchunger communities since time immemorial. There are over 20,000 Sumis settled in seventeen villages, it informed. Further this can be supported by the memorandum of understanding signed by tribal leaders namely United Sangtam Likhum Bhumji, Yimchunger Tribal Council and Sumi Tribal council along with five legislators which led to the creation of Kiphire district. The declaration of the MoU also states that “Kiphire district is mainly inhabited by Sangtams, Yimchungers and the Sumis…” From these it is clear that “Sangtam land” does not arise at any point of time, the union stated adding that Kiphire is also a land of the Sumis, Yimchungers and the Tikhirs etc. The union, questioning what it stated is the “motive behind such adverse developments,” also demanded an unconditional apology from the parties involved “whether this act is an application of wisdom or ignorance.”
The union pointed out that such a development only hurts the sentiments of neighbors and the growth for good is hampered. The district administration should also open its eyes and intervene to avert any possible differences that may arise between communities without, the KDSSU stated and called for replacement of the words stated above by appropriate terms suggesting the whole district, but without traditional wear.
Meanwhile, the union has convened its 2nd union assembly at its banker’s residence, Kiphire town on April 11. All executives/tribunals/unit presidents are requested to attend the same without fail.
DIMAPUR, APRIL 7 (MExN): The All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) has taken strong exception to the erection of a welcome gate at Ngoromi Village, constructed under DUDA 2005-06, with the inscription ‘Welcome to Sangtam Land’, supported by painting depicting Sangtam traditional wear.
Ngoromi is a Sangtam village situated 48 kms short of Kiphire Town.
“The Sumis and other communities have been co-inhabiting with Sangtams since time immemorial and one of the architects in the formation of Kiphire Town and also one of the signatories in memorandum of understanding prior to inauguration of Kiphire District in 2003, along with Sangtams, Yimchungers and five legislators under erstwhile Tuensang District which clearly shows that the consent and support of Sumis in Kiphire District is unavoidable,” SKK President K Himahto Chishi and General Secretary H Vitolu Chophy stated in a release.
Asserting that the 17 Sumi villages have been settling in their land and not in land belonging to the Sangtams, the student body said the writing ‘Welcome to Sangtam Land’ has hurt the sentiments of Sumis “as it indicates that the entire land in Kiphire District belongs to Sangtams.”
The SKK has reminded “our Sangtam brothers that deliberately ignoring the existence of contributions, support and sacrifice in shaping Kiphire District cannot be digested in any manner.”
The students have further urged the District Administration to intervene in order to “avoid unwanted atmosphere in the district.”
