Kiphire, 29 June (MTNews): Amid discussions surrounding the establishment of autonomous territory or council encompassing the 6 eastern districts of Nagaland, a long pending demand by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO), the Eastern Sumi Hoho, the primary governing body of the Sumi tribe residing predominantly in Eastern Nagaland, conducted a rally on Thursday. During this rally, they presented a memorandum to Nagaland’s Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, expressing their wish to remain part of the existing state of Nagaland in the event of a decision being reached between the Centre and ENPO.
In the memorandum, the organization has said it wishes to continue to exist politically, economically and administratively with the present state of Nagaland.
The organization 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 organization further said that the right to life and personal liberty is a fundamental right guaranteed to every Indian citizen, and that their choice should therefore be respected and honored.
To emphasize their demand, the Eastern Sumi Hoho organized a peaceful rally in Seyochung Town, Kiphire district today. The purpose of the rally was to safeguard the identity and rights of the Eastern Sumi community. The memorandum and rally were prompted by the Centre’s proposal to establish an autonomous territory or council covering the 6 Eastern Districts of Nagaland in response to ENPO’s long standing demand.