Dimapur, June 18 (MExN): The Seyochung Village Council today said the decision to expel “26 members” from the village was not an “instant emotional reaction.” In fact persons have ‘virtually given up Seyochung village citizenship indirectly by not participating /contributing/attending community activities/ meetings directed by the village council since 2004,’ a rejoinder stated.
“A citizen of any village should acknowledge the citizenship of his or her village first before he identifies his position…this should clarify the expulsion order.” The Kiphire District Sumi Hoho and Kiphire District Sumi Students Union have also been “requested not to interfere in the internal affairs of the village.”
“This is to remind them that the issues in not between Sumis and Sangtams of Seyochung village but within the citizens of Seyochung village. Referring Seyochung village affiliation to USBLA in 1968 due to increase in Sangtam population as per the press release is highly misleading and shows the scant knowledge of the KDSH/KDSSU of the Seyochung history” it stated. Regarding the alleged violation of human rights, the matter has been “discussed and solved through the Seyochung village council letter dated 26thJune 2006, signed and issued in the presence of Athrila, EAC (sadar) Kiphire who was deputed by then DC Kiphire to Seyochung village on 23/07/06.”
“With regard to Seyochung Village Students Union (SVSU) directing all the students to wear Sangtam traditional shawl it is hilarious and highly illogical to the extent that when Seyochung village is a Sangtam village, why would the students union direct the Sangtams to wear Sangtam shawl. And with regard to the non payment of salaries to the four VGs, the village council have the authority to withhold the salary of any VG personal of the village for not reporting to duty” it stated.
It was appealed that the issue be not taken on tribal lines ‘but rather to take it as village council taking action on the citizens who do not recognize and obey the village administration rules and regulations.’
The United Sangtam Students Conference (USSC) has also appealed to the SKK, KDSSU and KHSH not to make the issue “more controversial.” A note from the USSC president T Hotingkyu stated that the matter is purely an ‘internal family issue where any external force should not interfere at any level or (aggravate) it creating communal tension.’ The USSC appealed for cooperation to the council “for peaceful co-existence.”
‘No Sumis in Seyochung Village’: Village Council
(Verbatim): “For those interested Seyochung village was established by the Sangtam led by Lt. Seothsing and Lt. Xetha. The present Head GB of the village is the nephew of Lt. Seothsing and the present 2nd Hd. GB is the grand son of Lt Xetha. The village at present is unified with the above Hd. GB, 2nd GB and the rest of the GBs.
Therefore the question of particularizing Sumis and meeting out illegal treatment as alleged does not arise as there are no Sumis in the village. The 26 members calling themselves as Sumis ‘just to gain sympathy’ are not Sumis but are Sangtams in all respect. They are the adopted sons and daughters of Lt. Xetha and Lt. Setongthsing of Old Monger village who are Sangtams.
If any of the 26 members have problem with their identity, let them rectify it from their respective adopted fathers rather than confronting the village council. Any one confused in this matter should refer the Nagas tradition/usages.
This should clarify the matter relating to the origin of the 26 members as mentioned.
The Seyochung Village Council would like to further state that due to the misunderstanding brought by the adopted son of Xetha and Setongthsing, the matter has been brought to the notice of the district administration Kiphire for which the then DC of Kiphire issued an order DC/Kpe/Judl/2006-07/1938-45 dated Kiphire the Jan 18 2007, directing the village to live peacefully as in the past. Then again, after the 26 members refused to attend the meeting of reconciliation called by the village council on April 24, 2007 and problem persisted, Yantsowo, DC Kiphire, summoned the Seyochung village council and the adopted sons of Xetha and Setongthsing for a hearing on 10th May 10, 2007 in the presence of Sumi Hoho, KDSH and Likhum Bumji and accordingly an order issued DC/Kpe /Judl / 2006-07/22332 dated Kiphire, May 10, 2007 directing the villagers to live peacefully as in the past.
Hence the village council summoned reconciliation meeting at the village on May 24, 2007 and then again with the approval of the DC, called for a citizen meeting on June 12, 2007. However, on both their meetings, the 26 members mentioned boycotted the meeting.”
.jpg)
