Eastern Sumi Hoho says want to stay with present Nagaland state

In a memorandum to the Nagaland CM, the organisation has said it wishes to ‘exist politically, economically and administratively with present Nagaland

Amid talks of the creation of an autonomous territory or council covering the 6 Eastern Districts of Nagaland, a long pending demand of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), Eastern Sumi Hoho, the apex body of the Sumi tribe predominantly living in Eastern Nagaland held a rally today and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio expressing their desire to continue to be part of the present state of Nagaland in case a decision is arrived at between Centre and ENPO.

In the memorandum, the organisation has said it wishes to continue to ‘exist politically, economically and administratively with present state of Nagaland”.

The organisation has appealed to the CM to “exclude the Eastern Sumi territory, population census and electoral roll from the purview of the demand or negotiation/solution/settlement that may take place between the Centre and ENPO and include/merge us to Zunheboto District”.
The organisation further said that the right to life and personal liberty is a fundamental right guaranteed to every Indian citizen, therefore their choice should be respected and honoured.

ESH organised a peace rally at Seyochung Town, Kiphire district today to stress on its demand. The peace rally was organised to protect the identity and rights of Eastern Sumi, ESH said.

The memorandum and the rally comes in the backdrop of the Centre coming up with the proposal to form an autonomous territory or council covering the 6 Eastern Districts of Nagaland in response to the long pending demand of ENPO, the apex body of seven tribes of Eastern Nagaland – Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, and Yimkhiung.

Earlier on Tuesday (June 27), the ENPO had appealed for support from the Nagaland Government and the Naga tribes as it nears the fulfilment of its demand for a separate State, Frontier Naga Territory (FNT).

“We stand on the threshold of this dialogue; we hope to move forward courageously with the prayers and blessings of our fellow Nagas to a future where we can be equal contributors to the prosperity of our Naga fraternity,” ENPO stated in a press release on Tuesday.

A consultative meeting was to be held on June 30 to discuss the proposed creation of the autonomous territory or council but has been called off for now.

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