Sumi Hoho president Hokishe Yepthomi makes the point that unification of all Naga underground groups is a must for any solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue. He categorically states that any kind of “piecemeal solution will not work”. In an exclusive interaction with The Morung Express Chief of Bureau, Along Longkumer at his home in Satakha, Zunheboto, the Sumi Hoho president maintained that the NSCN (IM) should invite other Naga groups to join in the parleys with the Government of India. Making the stand of the Sumi Hoho clear, Yepthomi said the apex tribal body of the Sumis will not accept any piecemeal solution.
At the same time, he clarified that if “all Nagas are together” there was no question of piecemeal solution. “Our point is not on the status of the solution but that Nagas should be united”, Yepthomi said while adding that it did not matter even if there is no sovereignty as long as Nagas are united for a solution. In this regard, Yepthomi categorically pointed out that the Sumi Hoho will continue to support the ongoing efforts to “bring all warring factions under one political organization” so that bloodshed and fratricidal killing is completely stopped.
Known as an educationist and a social luminary, Yepthomi, who is also chairman of the Sumi Literature Board, argues that the “political salvation for the Nagas” can be achieved only through the unification of all Naga underground factions. “There are only two choices for the Nagas. We have to choose between bloodshed and peace. If we want to live in peace and harmony, we have no other option than the unification of all factions”, he reiterates. He reminds that the basis for unity already exists—the historical and political rights of the Nagas.
On ‘quit notice’
On the ‘quit notice’, while the Sumi Hoho openly pointed out that the quit notice served on the Tangkhul community was not a good thing, Yepthomi refused to further comment saying that the NSCN (IM) has banned the Sumi Hoho. “Our mouth is sealed. We will keep quiet”, the president said while lamenting that even if the Sumi Hoho wanted to go to Hebron, they cannot do so. “When Sumi Hoho is quiet they (NSCN –IM) should know that it is not good for them. Now we cannot even go to them even if we want to resolve matters”, Yepthomi says.
While expressing its hurt over what it termed as people “misreading the intention of the Sumis”, Mr Yepthomi said that the Sumi Hoho “will not take a leading role” but will support any group/s or tribe/s taking initiative to bring peace and reconciliation.
On role of FNR and challenges
The Sumi Hoho has categorically said that it fully supported and endorsed the reconciliation process undertaken by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). While expressing that the FNR was heading in the right direction, the Sumi Hoho President has a few word of suggestions as well as caution. Firstly, he says that the FNR should not become “too bulky” in order to allow it to work more cohesively.
Secondly, FNR should maintain complete neutrality though Mr Yepthomi admits that this is not going to be an easy thing to do. He cites the manner in which an earlier reconciliation commission headed by Niketu Iralu had to be winded up because the Naga Hoho could not handle pressure from a certain group. In this regard, he also expressed regret that the Naga Hoho had failed to honour its commitment made some years ago to come up with a “White Paper”.
Saying that the past had been replete with failures, the Sumi Hoho President warned that the FNR could get “stuck” likewise, unless lessons are learned from the past. He also said that Naga intellectuals have been forced to shut up at gun point and maintained that unless they speak up the truth, Nagas will not be evoked from its slumber.
