A view of Shamator Town. On January 19, the Shamator sub-division was declared as a full-fledged district through a Nagaland state Cabinet decision.
Tikhir recognised as a “separate Naga tribe”
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 19
The Nagaland Cabinet took two major decisions including the creation of a new district and official recognition of Tikhir as a separate Naga tribe on Wednesday.
The new district has been formed by upgrading the Shamator sub-division under Tuensang district. This will increase the total number of districts in the state to 16.
According to a press release issued by the Home Commissioner, Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, through the state DIPR, the state Cabinet took the decision during a meeting on January 19.
Sinha said the Cabinet “took note of the resolutions adopted in the Joint Consultative Meeting between the Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC) and Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) held on January 13, 2022 wherein it was decided unanimously by the YTC and TTC to support the up gradation of existing Shamator Sub Division to a full-fledged District, and further it was agreed by the YTC for recognition of Tikhir tribe as a separate Naga tribe.”
The Cabinet was also apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by the YTC and TTC on Wednesday morning, wherein, “in the interest of maintenance of peace and harmony, undertakings were given that no coercive measure whatsoever shall be adopted by any of the member of Yimkhiung community to ensure retention or reversion of any member of Tikhir Community to Yimkhiung community, or vice versa, in the event of recognition of Tikhir as a separate Naga Tribe,” the Home Commissioner’s statement read.
Along with this, undertakings were also given that every member of Tikhir or Yimkhiung community would have the freedom to choose the community, to which they belong, “and the subject of any issue or dispute between the members of the two brother tribes should be localized and resolved through customary laws and practices and status quo will be maintained.”
Sinha said that the Cabinet thereafter, invited the Presidents of YTC and TTC along with other tribal representatives to the meeting, to share with it the details of the understanding reached between them. The two tribal councils appeared before the Cabinet and informed of the agreement reached between them on all the issues which were lying unresolved for long.
The Cabinet deeply appreciated the hard work and sincere efforts made by leaders of both the communities for overcoming their differences amicably, and reaching consensus on all the issues and after further deliberations, approved creation of Shamator district and recognition of Tikhir as a separate Naga Tribe, Sinha added.
Meanwhile, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton took to Twitter to announce the development.
“As Shamator is officially recognised today as a full-fledged district, I congratulate the people of the newest district and wish them all the best in their endeavours. I also express sincere gratitude on this occasion to the YTC and the TTC for reaching an amicable understanding, “Patton tweeted on Wednesday afternoon.
Similarly, the state Minister for PHED Jacob Zhimomi also announced the recognition of Tikhir tribe, tweeting: “Happy to announce the recognition of Tikhir tribe after a long struggle. Hon CM Rio ji had mediated along with the state cabinet today & fructified. Congratulations to the Shamator district too, the 16th dist of Nagaland.[sic]”
Notably, while there were widespread peaceful protests organised by the Yimkhiung Tribal Council in early January, demanding the creation of Shamator district, the organisation has remained silent over the latest developments. Sources familiar with the issue told this newspaper that they were “waiting for the government’s official notification.”
