Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies, Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection and MLA K Tokugha Sukhalu, IAS (Retd.), on Tuesday questioned Zunheboto district’s overall progress in employment and governance despite decades of educational expansion, expressing concern over officer attendance and the functioning of public institutions.
Addressing the 40th General Conference of the Zunheboto Range Students’ Union (ZRSU) at Yezami Village as chief guest, Sukhalu said that while Zunheboto today has a government college, higher secondary school, and several government and private schools across villages, the outcomes in terms of employment and administrative efficiency remain inadequate.
He expressed concern over irregular attendance of officers and staff in offices and schools, though he appreciated recent initiatives by the education department to monitor teachers’ attendance in government schools.
Calling for better planning and accountability, Sukhalu advised the Zunheboto Range Students’ Union (ZRSU) to document details of all postgraduate, graduate and diploma holders, as well as government and private sector employees from the district’s 17 villages. He said such data would help assess progress and identify gaps in employment and development.
Addressing students, Sukhalu said they were the future leaders of the community and urged them to pursue academics with diligence and sincerity.
Recalling history, Sukhalu narrated how Zunheboto emerged as the administrative headquarters of the Sumi community despite opposition due to climatic and infrastructural challenges.
He said that in 1941, when Wokha was granted a Bench Court, Lt. LL. Hezukhu, Head GB of Sheyipu, initiated efforts for Zunheboto to be declared an administrative centre.
He noted that elders from the Tizu area assured the then Sub-Divisional Officer that land would be provided free of cost and water sources identified, which eventually led to Zunheboto becoming the headquarters.
Sukhalu also highlighted the role of community leaders in establishing education in the district, stating that a private high school was initiated in 1949 through collective effort and public contributions before being taken over by the government in 1957.
Chairman of Zunheboto Tokujo Kükami, Akükau Khekuto Zhimomi, in his greetings message, described Zunheboto as the heart of the Sumi community and called for unity, forgiveness and collective effort to uphold its dignity.
