• Meets community leaders from both sides
• Calls for the apex Sangtam and Sumi tribal bodies to meet
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 5
A two-member ‘goodwill mission’ deputed by the Nagaland state government visited Kiphire today. The mission members comprising former MLA Hewoto Awomi and Minister S. Kipili Sangtam met members of the Eastern Sumi Hoho (ESH) and Sangtam community leaders.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire informed that the goodwill team visited Sitimi village and Sitimi area administrative headquarters, where it organised a meeting with the ESH and Sangtam community leaders in attendance. Without going into the details of the meeting, the DC said that the goodwill team called upon the people of the two communities to allow peace to prevail. Queried on the ground situation at Sitimi, the DC described it as “still tense but under control” with no untoward incidents reported after Wednesday’s incident. The DC added that the state police and the Assam Rifles are keeping round the clock vigil.
President of the ESH, which represents Sumis of Tuensang and Kiphire, who attended the meeting today at Sitimi headquarters said it discussed about finding all possible means to bring to an end the dispute over nomenclature and in the meantime maintaining collective restraint and giving room for dialogue. The prospect of the apex Sangtam and Sumi tribal bodies to meet and talk was also discussed, the ESH president said.
The local residents of both communities of the affected area abstained from the meeting. The ESH president said that the Sumi community of Sitimi abstained. Another source added that Sangtam community leaders from Sitimi area too abstained.
On the prospect of the Sumi Hoho (SH) and the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) meeting to resolve the matter, the SH president said that it will be wise to sit across the table and talk for the greater good of all. Stating that peace and restraint should be maintained by both the parties at the affected area, the president said that the SH and USLB should meet as soon as possible to find a lasting solution “amicably and acceptable to both parties.” On his part, he said that effort was on to get in touch with the USLP.
Efforts to reach out to the USLP by The Morung Express was not successful.
SRSU questions district admin, calls for DC’s removal
Meanwhile, the Singti Ruhsah Student's Union (SRSU) questioned the effectiveness of the state government machinery in the backdrop of the January 3 incident at Sitimi. The incident, it said was “the direct result of the complete failure on the part of district administration.”
While stating that the district administration was well aware of the situation prevailing, it alleged, “However, no elaborate security measures were taken to safeguard life and property.”
It queried as to whether the district administration has initiated inquiry into an alleged incendiary social media post, which reportedly appeared on December 31, 2017 claiming an impending communal clash.
Had the administration been alert and “sensitive,” the situation would not have spiralled, the SRSU added.
It further called for the “replacement” of the district Deputy Commissioner and the state government rehabilitating the affected families and providing adequate security in Sitimi village.
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