Sumi community urged to foster good relations with neighbours

Dimapur, Nov. 23 (EMN): A government official has exhorted the Sumi community to foster peace and good relations with their neighbours. It was God’s purpose to place the Sumi people in the heart of Nagaland and that their territories be bound by ‘almost all tribes of Nagaland,’ said secretary for Land Resources and of the Finance department Y Kikheto Sema during his address at the 125 anniversary programme of the establishment of Lukikhe village in Aghunato.
“Earlier, through their bravery and strong warrior qualities, Sumis had sustained all odds but now through us, we should knit peace and friendship with all neighbours,” updates on Thursday quoted him as having said to the gathering. He pointed out that the people of Aghunato area were ‘fortunate to have most of the prominent political leaders, businessmen, church leaders among the Sumis and that the people were expecting them to take the community forward.’
Further, Sema said that the Naga people were all one and came from the same race but ‘owing to destructive politics Nagas are divided now.’ “Nagas are a small people and we should not make it smaller. So now Nagas should come together to understand each other,” he said in appeal. He spoke also about the need for leaders to ‘understand the needs of the needy and for the public to respect leaders.’
According to the official, the Naga people were at a crucial stage; political differences had created more confusion among the public. ‘Earlier, people opined that women spread lies and propaganda but the current situation reflects that men were more involved in spreading propaganda through various means and more through the use of technology.’
“It is not the responsibility of only the political leaders but we should all strive for their unity and reconciliation as we cannot afford to let them fight against each other,” he said.
The official lauded Lukikhe village’s Village Development Board and the village’s leaders for undertaking developmental works with free will donations. “Many villages are clouded with irregularities in usage of VDB funds but your village is showing the best example on transparent utilization of funds,” the updates quoted him as having observed.
During the programme, the chief guest unveiled the monolith marking the foundation of a concrete road and a public ground besides releasing the jubilee souvenir.