The Eastern Sumi Hoho, apex civil organisation of Sumi tribe of Eastern Nagaland has reaffirmed to exist with present state of Nagaland in the event of any negotiation made between the Government of India and the Eastern Naga People’s Organization (ENPO).

Reiterating it’s 25th October 2022 resolution undertaken at Nikiye Village, the Eastern Sumi Hoho President L Kahuvi Sumi and General Secretary, Botukha Sumi in a letter addressed to the Chief Minister of Nagaland through the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Seyochung today stated that the Eastern Sumi public will “continue to politically, economically and administratively exist with present state of Nagaland in the event of any negotiated solution is made between Government of India and Eastern.”

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The hoho during an interaction today said that Eastern Sumi have no insecurities or problems with the ongoing talks between the ENPO and GoI but that it has been existing on the Eastern Nagaland region since time immemorial. It maintained that the Eastern Sumi Hoho does not have any misunderstanding with the ENPO.

However, it lamented that since the inception of the talk between ENPO and GoI started, the Eastern Sumi have been excluded.

“We do not know what are being discuss between them and the content of the talk, that is the confusion,” the ESH members pointed.

“Whatever the Eastern Sumi are demanding is not because of any disputes or issues with ENPO. But our cause and demand are purely because we are being excluded by ENPO, our very existence and identity is in perplexity, therefore our demand is to merge with Zunheboto district,” it said.

It has further appealed, through the letter “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 Government of India and ENPO and include/merge us to Zunheboto District, Nagaland which is the immediate district with land continuity.”

“The right to life and personal liberty is a fundamental right guaranteed to all the citizens of India. Our choice is to be respected and honoured,” the hoho added.

The Hoho further said it appreciate the ENPO for inviting once again to hold talks on 4 July 2023 for negotiations. “But as of now since we have submitted the letter of demand to the state government through ADC, Seyochung and also to Central government.

We will wait for the response of the state government and decide on whether to attend the meeting called by ENPO”.