Dimapur, September 30 (MExN): Barely a day after Inavi villagers were evicted from Intangki Reserved Forest on September 29, the Western Sumi Hoho today demanded the eviction of Beisumpuikam village from the reserved forest within twenty one days failing which it warned of an own course of action.
A press statement received here from the WSH president Hokiye Yepthomi, and general secretary Akavi Zhimomi said that the demand to the NSCN (IM) was arrived at an emergency meeting of the “western” Sumi frontal organization and concern senior leaders on September 29. It deliberated the situation arising out of the eviction of Inavi village from the Intangki area.
The statement said that the meeting expressed utter surprise as to how the NSCN (IM) ‘targeted the Sumis’ by displaying biasness, over the Zeliangrongs, who according to the WSH, are the ‘real violators’ that established Beisumpuikam within the reserved forest area
“The house deplored the NSCN (IM) bias action as short sighted and favoritism.”
The Hoho said that Inavi village, consisting of ‘various Naga tribes’ was established with the ‘strength of the state government’s letter.’ Till date there have been 23 evictions carried out against Inavi village both by the state government and NSCN (IM), however not a single eviction has been made against Bishumpuikam village despite the two villages being ‘in the same vicinity,’ the Hoho lamented.
The Hoho also said that the Tenyimi Central Union’s blanket support to the Zeliangrong’s ‘baseless claim’ of land ownership, is unjustified.
In this connection, the WSH demanded the NSCN (IM) to evict Beisumpuikam village within 21 days effective from the date of submission of this resolution, saying that both the villages fall within the declared national reserve forest area.
The WSH also appealed to the Naga civil bodies especially tribal hohos including Naga Hoho to visit the spot as to whether Beisumpuikam and Inavi village are in the ‘same position’ and as to whether the NSCN (IM) has done justice by evicting only Inavi village. Western Sumi Hoho also said that ‘in the interest of Naga national property,’ Inavi village may pave a way for the ‘national reserved area’ provided that the NSCN (IM) evicts Beisumpuikam village and other occupants within the said area.
Further, the release cautioned that in the event of failure by the NSCN (IM) to evict Beisumpuikam in equal yardstick applied to Inavi village, the “western” Sumi public general will decide its own course of action.
It may be mentioned here that the so-asserted “western” Sumis had earlier cautioned both the State government and the NSCN (IM) over the planned move to evict Inavi village which is adjacent to Intangki Forest pointing out that there are many Naga tribes inhabiting the said village and also the fact that they are in possession of government’s permit for establishment of the village.
They had likewise made it clear to the NSCN (IM) in particular that, in the event the decision taken on September 22, 2007 by the cabinet council is implemented to evict Inavi village without evicting Beisumpuikam the Sumis “shall resist to the extent of physical confrontations and shall not bear the responsibility of the unwanted situation.” It was also maintained that Beisumpuikam village being an exchanged land ‘are all farce and concocted stories by the Zeliangrongs.’
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