Aaronto Jimomi
Zunheboto | May 27
A peace rally under the aegis of the Peace Monitoring Cell comprising of the Sumi Hoho, Sumi Kukami Hoho, Sumi Totimi Hoho, SKK, ZTC Church organization, ZTBU, ZTGBA, etc was organized at the main Police point, Zunheboto today with close to six or seven thousand people gathered to voice their concern over the recent armed feud between the two NSCN factions.
The rally re-affirmed its earlier resolution dated 25th May 2005 and rightly condemned the frantic killing among the warring factions and unanimously resolved that, in the event of any intimidation, killing etc in the near future, the general public will chase out the culprits with Daos (Naga Machete) and spears, irrespective of any factions. Towards implementing this, the respective ward representatives and GBs have been urged upon to keep their respective ward “under full alert”.
The meeting strongly urged upon the warring factions and Indian Security forces to strictly adhere to the ceasefire ground rules and also the cease fire monitoring cell/supervisory board chairman and members are strongly urged upon to come to Zunheboto town within 24 hours time to take stock of the prevailing situation or dissolve their respective peace cells or boards in the event of failure to do so.
People from all walks of life were present at the Peace Rally function. The town council members and the elders called upon the leaders of both the factions at the meeting to consult them in order to maintain peace.
While only the NSCN (K) officials attended the function the NSCN (IM) nevertheless gave their moral support and assured that they would agree with whatever may be decided at the meeting.
Brig. Nikhuyi Sema of the NSCN (K) in his address at the meeting said that they did not agree with the term ‘Peace Rally’ while pointing out that “so much has been done in the past and is still being carried on with no specific resolution” and that they have no more space to talk about peace. “Don’t talk peace to us, we are fed up with it” said the Brigadier.
The NSCN (K) Brigadier further pointed out that the issue should not be particularized only for the Sumis alone but for the Naga people as a whole since “the cause is for the Nagas and the struggle is not only for the Sumis”.
The Brigadier also cautioned the public leaders and the elders that they should show the right way and lead the people instead of “confusing them with their confusion over the confused mind of the people- where to go? Which one to follow? Who is right?”
He also cautioned the Church that Religion should not get mixed up with the sovereignty and integration issue. “It should go parallel with no interference”. He further stated that the history of the “Nagas will never agree if we give up our fight for sovereignty”. If not us, it will be taken up by generations to come and Nagas will struggle and fight till their goal is achieved”, Brig Nikhuyi said.
The SKK president Hetoi Chishi, STH president K. Atoli Sumi, Sumi Hoho President H.S. Rotokha, GB’s Union President Kakihe Yeptho delivered speeches on behalf of the public with all of them stating that both the factions should maintain peace and learn to live in harmony bringing end to bloodshed and violence.
“Many are left fatherless and widowed we should know that we are all brothers and sisters and are responsible for this cause. We the mothers mourn with you and give our support to all the mothers who have lost their husband due to these clashes” exhorted K. Atoli Sumi President STH.
“Love, respect and accept each other and learn to live in unity that’s the way towards the goal” said Sumi Hoho President H.S. Rotokha.
Earlier, the gathering was chaired by the convenor, Peace Monitoring Cell, Z Vishiho Awomi and invocation and benediction was pronounced by Tokhezhe Sumi, Pastor, ZBAZ & Rev S Yevito Sumi, Pastor, SBCZ respectively.
