Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 22
The Sumi Kukami Hoho (SKH) has resolved to replace usage of the title Gaon Bura (GB) with ‘Akukau’ in all Sumi villages. ‘Akukau’ in Sumi dialect means ‘Village Chief’ and the title has been used since time immemorial and handed down through generations as part of the Sumi customary practice.
This was one of the 7-point resolutions adopted by the Sumi Kukami Hoho during a meeting of all Sumi GBs including representatives from Northern Sumi Kukami Hoho, Eastern Sumi Kukami Hoho, Western Sumi Kukami Hoho and Sumi Kukami Hoho at Kiyezhe village, Dimapur on Wednesday.
Another resolution adopted stated that there would not be any age bar for any Sumi to be appointed as GB since as per Sumi customary practices, GBs are inherent and hereditary. The SKH also resolved that any Sumi Head GB could become the Chairman of his Village Council.
Another resolution stated that there would not be any criteria such as population or number of household for eligibility of any Sumi village to appoint a GB. “If any new GBs are to be appointed in a village, then the Head GB will have the power to make such appointment in consultation with other GBs in the village,” it stated.
Further, it was resolved that those Sumi individuals appointed by the State Government in wards, towns, colonies, sectors etc might continue to use the title GB since their appointment was time bound and not hereditary. “They (GBs appointed by government) cannot use the title ‘Akukau’ since it is handed down through family lineage,” it added.
The SKH also resolved not to accept any appointment of GBs made by the State Government in Sumi villages. In order to carry forward these resolutions and approach the appropriate authority, the house selected a 7-member Sumi Kukami Hoho Resolution Drafting Committee to be led by Ex-Minister, Hewoto Awomi as the Convenor.
Earlier, Executive Secretary, WSBAK, Rev. Hevukhu Achumi delivered a brief sermon on the Gospel during the first session of the meeting while Western Sumi Kukami Hoho, President, Vihuto Yeptho delivered the welcome address. During the second session, Nihoto Chishi, retired Secretary, Law & Justice, highlighted on the powers and functions of GBs and various Acts passed by the government since 1937 in connection with village and tribal councils.
OSD, Department of Justice & Law and Advisor SKH, Khesheli Chishi, District and Sessions Judge (retd), Khevihe Chophy and host of the meeting, KL Chishi, former Chief Minister also exhorted the gathering.
‘Govt not following procedures in passing Acts’
Justice, H. Khetoho Sema, Supreme Court Judge (retd) on Tuesday maintained that the State Government was not following proper procedures in passing many Acts.
Justice Sema said that the government has to first introduce a bill in the Assembly before passing the Act. “The Nagaland Government only refers to a Select Committee after which an Act is passed in the Assembly,” he said during a meeting of Sumi GBs at Kiyezhe village in Dimapur on Wednesday.
He emphasized on the urgent need for the State to have Law Commission, Human Rights Commission and Lok Ayukta in order to keep a check on corruption and other excesses committed by the government or individuals/groups. The retired Judge said it was most important for Nagaland to have State Law Commission since proper procedures were not followed in enactment of laws and Acts.
“If Lok Ayukta is adopted by the State Government, then it (Lok Ayukta) can act as a corruption watchdog but the government is shying away from adopting it since their grazing fields will vanish,” he asserted.
On the issue of 33% reservation for women in Urban Local Bodies, Justice Sema said that the State Government was “legally and constitutionally right but hasty” in trying to implement it.
The retired Judge also described it as “absolutely wrong” the government’s notification issued on March 10, 2016 which stated that a GB cannot become Chairman of a Village Council. He said the notification was an infringement of Sumi customary practices which is safeguarded under Article 371 (A) of the Indian Constitution.
Justice Sema also criticized the government’s decision to set an age bar for a person to become a GB. According to the speaker, a GB or village chief in Sumi customary context is inherent and hereditary and hence there cannot be any age bar to become a village chief.
“Our democracy is still a mockery and it is the people who will have to bring a change,” he said and added that the Indian Constitution has safeguarded Naga customary laws and practices but that the Nagas were mishandling it. Justice Sema urged upon the GBs to strongly uphold their principles without taking any sides.
