KIPHIRE, MARCH 11 (MExN): The Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) has taken exception to a statement made by Minister for RD & REPA, CL John on March 8 during the inauguration of the Shamator Town Council. The TTC, in a press statement today stated that “an attempt to undermine the Tikhir Tribal as a dialect of Yimchunger was made through an analogy that Konyak speak 55 different dialects, yet they collectively go by tribe name of Konyak.” Terming this remark as “condescending,” the TTC said that the Minister has “hurt the sentiments of the struggling Tikhirs as the Konyaks speaking 55 dialects have no connection whatsoever with the Tikhirs issue.” The TTC stated that “like every Naga tribe,” the Tikhirs have their own frontal organisations and are also “blessed with its own land, a sizable population, a vibrant culture and finally its own history and roots independent from any other tribes of Nagaland.” “Therefore, to compare Tikhir as a dialect of Yimchunger is most unfortunate and patronising,” it added. The TTC further asked all recognised tribes of Nagaland to hear the Tikhirs “who are struggling for government recognition and whose people are being held and kept in suppression...”
