In a rejoinder to United Zeliangrong Youth Federation (UZYF), Western Sumi Youth Front (WSYF) claimed that its statements were backed by documentary evidences including government records and court orders, and alleged that UZYF was harping on “baseless rejoinders bereft of supportive documents”.
Therefore, WSYF through its media cell stated that it did not feel necessary to respond to beating around the bush statements of UZYF. “However, lest the readers think the UZYF statements to be true even though it lacked documentary evidences”, WSYF said it chose to highlight only few points to clear any doubts from the minds of the public.
While acknowledging the Zeliangrong as a whole as Nagas, WSYF stated that the Nagas of Manipur have no say in the present dispute, as it was purely within the demarcated state of Nagaland. WSYF said that it was a fact that many people have been brought from Naga areas of Manipur to settle in Nagaland state, thus leading to creation of discord and disharmony.
“No amount of justification and attempts to distort the Naga history of inhabitation of Dimapur area can change the fact. The truth shall remain the truth,” it added.
Stating that the historical truth will show otherwise of the statements of the Zeliangrong people about their claims on Intangki area as well, WSYF said that as a matured tribe, the Sumis do not desire to involve several communities into the picture.
On the allegation by UZYF that the WSYF was indulging in “programmed continuation of lies and twists.”, WSYF asked UZYF to have clearly point out which part of its statement was a repeated lie. It said that Without articulating on the points and merely generalizing it on the surface and terming it as a lie amounted to confusing the public and it clearly reflected the intention of the UZYF.
Claiming that numerous points issued by WSYF had been backed by strong documents and records, the front said that if for any reason UZYF had doubts, then they could “verify it with the appropriate authority and satisfy themselves instead of using the keyboard to describe it as a lie and fictitious.”
With regard to the hand written notes at the March 22 incident site, WSYF asked UZYF to provide proof that the Sumis had written it. “Blindly accusing the Sumis of having written the notes merely because the word ‘Sumi’ was in the content, is only imaginary and anticipatory bereft of proof when it could be handiwork of anybody to trigger mass hatred towards Sumis,” it said, adding that even the authorities would first have to find proof of who had written the notes.
However, WSYF said it was unfortunate that UZYF came to absurd conclusion about “Sumi hand of involvement” in the March 22, incident when WSYF has been requesting the Sumi community to maintain peace even in the face of extreme provocation.
Further, WSYF said official records were available as far as establishment of Kiyevi village and other Sumi villages in the Western Sumi area is concerned. Stating that any aggrieved party could take recourse to legal action, it however said that it was unnecessary drag in the Chakhro Angami into the picture. “…The Chakhro Angamis or Angamis in general are a powerful tribe who can speak for themselves and fend for themselves if need arise,” it added. It also said that the admission that Lamhainamdi was established on March 31, 2019 was itself against the strictures issued by the state government as early as January, 2019.
Despite chief secretary’s June 25, 2019 order to maintain Status, WSYF alleged that developments were still continuing. It said that the February 1 report had also clearly mentioned about continuing developmental works, much against the status quo order, adding that the “status quo cannot be stretched to suit the wild imagination of the UZYF.”
Further, the Sumi villages mentioned were way outside the area covered by status quo order, WSYF claimed while alleging that the government agencies turned blind eye to the continuous development of Lamhainamdi village without enforcing its own order, leading to the unfortunate loss of lives of three Naga brothers.
“It is the Sumis who stand on a better footing than the UZYF to blame the government for not enforcing its own status quo order,” it stated.
Asserting that the allegation about open involvement of UG groups in establishing villages was extremely outrageous, WSYF reminded that the immense contribution of Sumis to the Naga national movement was an open truth.
“We take pride for the sacrifices rendered by our people for the cause of the Nagas. As such, be it a village functionary, GB or the public; services rendered by them towards the Naga national cause is purely on their personal accord and it strongly reflects patriotic qualities,” it added.
Stating that it does not enjoy the endless media warfare, WSYF opined that UZYF could approach the appropriate legal forum to redress their grievances, if any, and “desist from image building tactics thereby attempting to dislodge documental arguments of WSYF.”
WSYF said that trying to play down the pains and struggles of the early settlers in Dimapur area by judging it from the present day convenient times was “akin to derecognizing the sacrifices of pioneers be it Sumi or any other community.”
With regard to the current dispute, WSYF said a lot of judicial pronouncements had been made in the past which was on record. WSYF leaves it to the appropriate authority to peruse and conclude, it said, adding that it believes in arguments based on available documents and records and not on imaginary arguments.
“Much contrary to the hypocritic diplomacy of UZYF; the WSYF, although provoked by the statements of UZYF, chooses to remain calm and peaceful in the interest of communal harmony. However, our peaceful overture and mild statements focusing only on available records should not be misconstrued as a toothless or handicapped organization,” it said.