Kohima, September 25 (MExN): The Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) has strongly petitioned the President of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO), pressing for the immediate consideration and approval of Tsangli Tikhir as the qualified candidate for the Tikhir Interim Member position to the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
According to an official representation dated September 25, 2026, issued from the TTC Headquarters in Kiusam Town, the selection process has been marred by irregularities and unilateral decision-making by a dissolved faction of the council.
The council stated that during a preliminary evaluation meeting on March 10, 2026, three contenders were in the fray: T Tsusuthong, who was disqualified due to being under-age; Tsangli Tikhir, who fulfilled all prescribed eligibility criteria; and Mark Morekiu, who faced severe criminal and corruption charges.
The TTC highlighted multiple allegations against Mark Morekiu, including an assault on village GB Kiuto in Longtsunger Village in 2015, resulting in an FIR at Kiphire Police Station, a five-year tribal expulsion in 2021 before receiving a subsequent pardon, a 2022 domestic misconduct incident in Kohima penalized by the Tikhir Women Union, an assault on TTC executive member Khiungmong in 2023, leading to an FIR at North Police Station, Kohima and a 2024 assault case involving Ritkiumong of Kiusam Town, which is currently sub judice at the Gauhati High Court.
Despite these contentious backgrounds and the restriction served against unauthorized assemblies, the dissolved TTC team and certain frontal organizations allegedly bypassed collective consensus and unilaterally endorsed Mark Morekiu on September 1, 2026. The TTC formally nullified this meeting on September 6, 2026, across print and broadcast media (Hornbill TV).
Adding to the leadership friction, the Tikhir Gazetted Officers' Association (TGOA) and the Tikhir Gaon Bura Association (TGBA) issued public disclaimers. They clarified that signatures appended by certain officials during the September 1 meeting were done in an individual capacity and did not represent the collective mandate or constitutional framework of their respective organizations.
The TTC has reiterated that Tsangli Tikhir remains the sole legitimate candidate meeting the rigorous benchmarks laid down by the ENPO, urging the apex body to intervene and rectify the selection process in the interest of community integrity.
