Dimapur, June 17 (MExN): Categorically maintaining that the Kiphire District administration submitting a proposal for “re-adjustment” of constituencies for the district is “intentionally to create untoward incidents”, the Kiphire Sumi Hoho has cautioned against any such move and that if any “adjustment” be made it has to be based on a block/area approach and never otherwise.
Taking stern cognizance of Kiphire administration submitting a proposal where four villages namely Shothumi ‘A’, Shothumi ‘B’, Phisami and Lukhami from Sitimi/Seyochung Constituency 59 A/C would be “adjusted” to Kiphire constituency, the Hoho in a representation addressed to the Nagaland Chief Minister made it clear that this would not be accepted.
“The proposal made by the district administration is intentionally to create untoward incidents. The question of adjustments of those mentioned villages to Kiphire constituency will not be accepted” L Hokheto Yepthomi, President Kiphire District Sumi Hoho affirmed. Giving reasons for it opposition, the Hoho stated that the mentioned villages are under the SDO (C), Seyochung and Sitimi block and that the distance from Kiphire via Sitimi to those villages range from 80-100 kilometers and from Kiphire via Kichung it is about 35-50 kilometers. Whereas, from Seyochung it is “hardly” 8-15 kilometers and “topographically, socially, culturally and linguistically more convenient to Sitimi/Seyochung rather than Kiphire”.
The Hoho also strongly reminded the Chief Minister that the demand of the Sumi inhabitants of Kiphire district is either to give 33% reservation or to merge with Zunheboto and added that even without fulfilling the demand of the Sumis, the community has contributed it’s full cooperation and support to the up-gradation of the Kiphire division to a full-fledged district. However, “In spite of all the support and co-operation to the government, the district administration on the other hand is trying to create misunderstandings by way of giving such proposal, for which the Sumis would never accept nor compromise to such proposal” the representation asserted.
The Kiphire Sumi Hoho further claimed that the proposal has been instigated by some vested interest for political mileage. Taking into account the matter represented, the Hoho suggested that Kiphire district be given an additional constituency basing on total population. In this case, the pattern would be in the line that (i) Kiphire/Pungro (presently 60 A/C) is separated respectively and (ii) Sitimi/Seyochung (presently 59 A/C) be kept as it is. Any adjustment should be made block/area wise. “If the government could adjust as per our suggestion then it would not create any misunderstanding among the co-existing different tribes residing under Kiphire district” the Hoho maintained.
