Dimapur, July 19 (MExN): Toeing in line of the ENSF, the Sumi community of Kiphire district has now also joined in the demand for the so-asserted “backward” quota. A 33% reservation is the community’s demand.
The KDSH pointed out to the Reservation Committee chairman that the department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms (Parliamentary cell) in its note on August 15, 1979 stated in clause (III) that the whole of Tuensang, Mon and the Phek districts and the then sub-division of Peren and Kiphire are inhabited by, the Hoho asserted, “backward tribes.”
In this regard, Tuensang’s Deputy Commissioner in a letter on April 2, 1999, stated that the Sumis of Tuensang (from which Kiphire district was incepted) are basis of ‘Region Specific parameters.’ The DC’s letter was addressed to the under secretary to the Government of Nagaland They are already covered under the Backward Area development Fund (BADF). Therefore, Kiphire’s Sumis deserve reservation on the basis of ‘Region specific criteria,’ the Hoho asserted. .
Several memorandum and representations were submitted to the state Government for inclusion of the Sumis in 33% reservation, the Hoho informed. It also mentioned that during Kiphire’s upgrading into a full-fledged district the Sangtam, Yimchunger and the Sumi civil society with legislators, agreed in principle and later signed memorandum of understanding August 2, 2003. It clearly stated that “the demands of Sumi of Tuensang district for 33% reservation and all other facilities entitled to Yimchunger and Sangtam tribes of the district shall be jointly persuaded for the inclusion in the provision by the Government at the earliest.” In this regard, the Legislators of Kiphire also made a joint appeal to the Chief Minister for inclusion of Kiphire’s Sumis in the 33% backward reservation.
The Hoho stated that in spite of repeated appeals to address the demand at the earliest, the state Government has not shown “any sign of interest or concern to fulfill our demand.” Stating that there are no other options left but to seek legal advice, the KDSH requested the committee to “do justice” to the Sumis of the district. The Hoho added that the Sumis in the district are “equally responsible backward community.”
