The Tikhir Tribal Council (TTC) takes serious note of the statement issued by the Tikhir Students’ Union
(TSU) on 30th September 2026 and considers it necessary to place the following facts and clarifications before the Tikhir public for a proper and objective understanding of the matter.
- Origin of the present controversy:
The present controversy arose primarily from the selection process for the Tikhir Interim Council Member to the FNTA, particularly during the meeting held on 10th March 2026. The TTC maintains that the core eligibility criteria framed by the ENPO were required to follow uniformly and objectively by all concerned frontal organisations. However despite concerns and complaints having been raised regarding the antecedents and records of Mr. Mark Morekiu, the then TTC leadership and representatives of various Tikhir frontal organization proceeded to append their signatures to the recommendation forwarded to the ENPO fundamental question therefore remains: were the ENPO. At the same time, Mr.Tsangli Tikhir whose candidature was considered by the TTC to satisfy the prescribed eligibility requirements and against whom no comparable complaint was raised during the selection process, was not recommended. The fundamental question therefore remains: where theENPO prescribed eligibility criteria applied equally to every candidate, or were other considerations permitted to influence the recommendation?
- Participation in the alleged meeting at Dimapur:
The TTC also seeks a clear explanation regarding the reported meeting convened at the residence of Er. Asangba, President, TGOA, at Dimapur and the participation of representative of the Tikhir Students’ Union therein. As a responsible Students’ organization claiming to represent the interests and welfare of the Tikhir Students community, the TSU leadership ought to clarify the purpose, participants and subject matter of such a meeting, particularly when the matter concerned a sensitive tribal issue which subsequently resulted in serious divisions within the community. Transparency is essential were decisions or consultation have the potential to affect the unity and collective interests of the Tikhir community.
- Statement made during the Tikhir Thanksgiving programme:
During the Tikhir Thanksgiving Programme for FNTA held at Kiusam on 13th February 2026, the then President of TTC, Mr. P. Timong, reportedly appealed to the Tikhir community not to campaign for any particular candidate for the Interim Council Member and instead to TTC/GEN/PRESS/2026/45 30/09/2026 pray for the selection of the most suitable candidate. In view of the public appeal, the TTC seeks clarification as to why subsequent actions and recommendations associated with the former TTC leadership were perceived by the Tikhir public as favouring Mr. Mark Morekiu. The TTC believes that leaders occupying responsible positions must maintain consistency between their public statements and subsequent actions.
- Dissolution of the former TTC leadership:
The TTC reiterates that the former TTC team headed by Mr. P. Timong was dissolved by the Tikhir general public on 29th July 2026, following widespread concerns regarding the manner in which various tribal and organisational matters had been handled. Thereafter, a new team headed by Mr. R.T. Kius as President, TTC was constituted. The present TTC therefore rejects any attempt to portray the subsequent developments as arising in isolation or merely from an internal disagreement within the TTC. The developments have to viewed against the larger background of the disputes surrounding the FNTA Interim Council Member selection and the subsequent loss of confidence in the former TTC Leadership.
- DC Kiphire’s appeal for an amicable settlement. The TTC further places on record that the Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire on 29th August 2026, appealed to the concerned Tikhir Frontal Organisations Viz, TSU,TWA,TGOA,TBBA and TGBA, to come together and resolve the ongoing issues through a mutually acceptable and lasting settlement. The TTC is concerned that, instead of facilitating such a process, the former TTC leadership proceeded to convene a meeting on 1st September 2026. The present TTC maintains that the said meeting was not a mutually agreed settlement process contemplated by the Deputy Commissioner’s intervention, and accordingly, treated the proceedings of the meeting as null and void.
- Role of TSU in the present dispute. The TTC respects the TIkhir Student Union as an important organisation representing the interest and welfare of Tikhir Students. However, the TSU must also recognise the distinction between Students welfare activities and wider Tribal governance or tribal institutional matters. The primary responsibility of the TSU is to safeguard and promote the educational, social and welfare interests of Tikhirs Students.
Where the TSU choices to comment on sensitive tribal matters, it is expected to examine the relevant facts, documents and eligibility guidelines carefully before issuing public statements. The TTC therefore urges the TSU leadership not to become a party to further division within the Tikhir community by making statements without first verifying the complete facts.
- Eligibility criteria must apply equally to all candidates. The TTC reiterates that the central issue is not about personal relationships, clan affiliations, brotherhood or individual preference. The central issues whether the candidate recommended for the FNTA interim Council position fulfilled the eligibility requirements prescribed by the competent body. If the TSU believes that Mr.Mark Morekiu fulfilled all the eligibility requirements, it should state for clearly and explain the basis upon which that conclusion was reached despite the complaints and records placed before the concerned organisations. Likewise, if the TSU disputes the eligibility of Mr.Tssangli Tikhir, it should identify the specified criterion which, according to the TSU, he failed to satisfy. The TTC believes that the same standard must be applied to every candidate without favour, discrimination or selected consideration.
- On the allegations concerning Mr.Mark Morekiu. The TTC makes it clear that it does not seek to pronounce upon the guilt or innocent of any individual in matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the competent legal authorities. However, where complaints, police record, court-related matters, tribal disciplinary proceedings or other adverse records had been formally brought before the selecting organisations, such matters cannot simply be ignored without examination. The existence of an allegation or pending legal matter must be distinguished from a final finding of guilt. At the same time, the prescribed eligibility criteria must be examined carefully by the competent authority before a recommendation is made.
- Tikhir Students’ Union statement is one-sided. The TTC strongly disagrees with the impression created by the TSU statement that the present dispute can be attributed solely to the actions of the present TTC leadership. The TTC maintains that the controversy has a history dating back to the 10th March 2026 selection process, followed by disagreement concerning the application of ENPO’s eligibility criteria, subsequent organisational developments, the dissolution of the former TTC leadership and the failure to achieve and acceptable settlement. Therefore, presenting only one side of the events without acknowledging the chronology and underlying causes creates an incomplete picture before the Tikhir public.
- Appeal for restraint and responsibility. The TTC appeals to all Tikhir frontal organisations, including the TSU, to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with sensitive tribal matters. The Tikhir community cannot afford further division through public accusations, personal attacks, selective narratives or organisational confrontation. The TTC is prepared to place the relevant documents and records before any competent authority or mutually agreed forum for an objective examination of the facts.
The Tikhir Tribal Council therefore rejects the allegations and one sided narrative contained in the TSU statement dated 30th September 2026, insofar as they seek to misrepresent the origin and subsequent development of the present dispute. The TTC reiterates that the core issue is fairness, transparency, equal application of the ENPO eligibility criteria and accountability in the selection of the Tikhir Interim Council Member to the FNTA. The TTC further calls upon the TSU leadership to refrain from making statements that may aggravate misunderstanding and division within the Tikhir community and instead contribute constructively towards peace, unity and an acceptable resolution. The TTC remains committed to protecting the collective interests, dignity and unity of the Tikhir community and will continue to place the facts before the competent authorities and the general public in a responsible and lawful manner.
RT KIUS
President, TTC
WONGSUTHONG
General Secretary, TTC
S. MOA TIKHIR
Executive Chairman, TTC
RK TSUTHONG
Secretary, TTC
