Sumi student organizations stand by decision of SKK
DIMAPUR, JULY 8 (MExN): The decision of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) to hold the HSLC Toppers felicitation program coinciding with the Tuluni festival, premier festival of the Sumi Nagas has snowballed.
The All Sumi Students’ Union (SKK) in an ultimatum on Saturday demanded that the NSF publicly apologize to the Sumi tribe in all the local dailies before July 12 for “deliberately hurting the sentiments of the Sumi tribe.”
The SKK said on July 7, it had protested to the NSF over its decision to hold the said felicitation programme on the auspicious day of the Sumi Tuluni festival to which the Federation had responded on July 8 that it cannot be postponed.
It therefore stated that the action of the NSF amounts to “willful and deliberate disregard and humiliation not only of Sumi student bodies but the whole Sumi tribe in general.”
Expressing resentmet, the Dimapur Sumi Students Union (DSSU) said it has decided not to cooperate in any of the activities of the NSF.
A press statement issued by DSSU on Saturday informed that it will “not cooperate in any of the activities of NSF in the near future either from its office or from its bonafied members within its jurisdiction, until NSF publicly tender its apologies to the Sumi community.”
It alleged that NSF openly disrespected and disregarded the Sumi community by deciding to go ahead with the HSLC felicitation program on July 8 which coincided with Tuluni, the premier festival of Sumi community even after the appeal was made by SKK.
The DSSU also questioned the NSF incumbent officials, whether it has any regard for the preamble of its constitution which read, “.....to cultivate and preserve our cultures, customs and traditional heritage....” on the basis of which the Federation was formed.
Meanwhile, the Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) has demanded mass resignation of the NSF team on moral ground basing on the violation of its constitution. “The elected leaders are entitled to work for preserving and safe-guarding the identity and culture of the citizen, but the officials and the office of NSF misused by vested leaders has denied the rights, culture and identity of the Sumi community,” it alleged.
If the current NSF team does not resign on moral grounds, the WSSU cautioned that it will declare non-cooperation to the Federation within its jurisdiction.
In separate statements, the Emlo-To Students’ Union (ETKK) and Satoi Range Students Union (SRSU) questioned the intention of the NSF for threatening the unity of the Nagas by their “prejudiced decision.”
The SRSU stated that, “NSF being the highest apex body failed to uphold and safeguard their own preamble, which shows complete immature in their leadership.”
Both unions informed that until further notice or directive from the SKK, their members will not cooperate with the NSF.
