Sumi Naga community decides to sever ties with NSCN(IM)

Kohima: The Sumi Naga community has decided to sever all ties with the NSCN(IM) in Nagaland, following the incident of alleged attempted rape and murder of passengers by the cadres.
The move comes after the taking over of three designated camps of the NSCN(M) in Mukali by the Sumis against the allegedly sexual harassment, attempted rape and murder of passengers by the cadres of the outfit.
A statement jointly issued by frontal organisations of the Sumi community said the decision was taken during the Sumi general public meeting held under the aegis of the Sumi Hoho at the Town Hall Zunheboto on Tuesday.
The resolution was signed by Sumi Hoho, Women, Youth and Student bodies of the community. “The relationship between the Sumis and the NSCN(IM) is hereby delinked and all ties with that organisation is severed with immediate effect,” the statement said.
All kinds of taxations from the Sumis to the NSCN(IM) shall cease to exist, it said.
The meeting was held in the backdrop of the December 21 incident last year when four NSCN(IM) cadres had waylaid a Zunheboto-bound vehicle near Aghuito town and allegedly attempted to rape and molest two female passengers and injured two male passengers accompanying them.
The Sumi people under the apex district body, Sumi Hoho, held a rally next day and demanded the four NSCN(IM) cadres be handed over to the district administration within December 25.
Hundreds of Sumi people, incensed over the incident marched towards the NSCN(IM)’s designated camp in Zunheboto district on December 28, where they were fired on allegedly by the cadres leading to the death of two persons and injuring six others.
The burial place for the dead in Sukhalu village shall be called “Sumi Martyrs’ Park”, the meeting resolved. (PTI)