Illegal immigrants have begun to interfere in Naga’s social fabric: Jacob Zhimomi

Minister, PHED & Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi addressing the 40th general conference of the Western Sümi Hoho (WSH) at WSH office, Chekiye, Chümoukedima on May 27. (Morung Photo)

Minister, PHED & Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi addressing the 40th general conference of the Western Sümi Hoho (WSH) at WSH office, Chekiye, Chümoukedima on May 27. (Morung Photo)

Urges Sümi community to come together as community to thrive 

Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | May 27

Minister, PHED & Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi on Saturday said the government of the day was all set to strictly implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) once the draft is finalized. 

With its implementation, all the non-Nagas will stay in the state only legally after obtaining the permit, he said. The government has prescribed two different years on obtaining the ILP on different grounds – 1963 and 1979, Zhimomi said while addressing the 40th general conference of the Western Sümi Hoho (WSH) at WSH office, Chekiye, Chümoukedima. 

The non-Nagas who have been residing and has obtained lands in Nagaland before the attainment of statehood ie before 1963, has the right to own that particular plot of land, under the condition that if they intend to sell it, they can only sell it to the indigenous Nagas. They will not be eligible for obtaining indigenous certificates. However they are eligible for obtaining permanent residential certificate (PRC).

Those who have been residing from 1963 –1979 are eligible for ILP and PRC, while also those who have been residing in the State from 1979 till present are eligible for ILP and PRC as well. The government has also prescribed different requirements and validity periods and fees for different categories of ILP applicants namely – tourists, traders, labourers, missionaries, professors and exchange students.

He said that there will be a guarantor for each Indian citizen or foreigner that comes to Nagaland for a job. For instance, if a labourer or a professor or teacher comes to work in the State, the guarantor should be her/his employer for whom they will be working under and for a specific period of time.

Zhimomi said that the process is vital to protect and safeguard the identity and existence of the indigenous people of Nagaland, while also urging the village chiefs to implement it in their own lands. He also cleared the air that the act was not about “chasing the non-Nagas away,” but that this provision has been in force under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation since 1873.

Illegal immigrants are on the rise and have started to interfere in the society's social fabric and livelihood. He said that this is a serious concern and the state will be in utter chaos when there is no rule of law and mechanism set up by the government, he affirmed. Reiterating that this is being implemented for the future of the Nagas, he urged all to cooperate with the government.

On the occasion, Zhimomi also called upon the Sümi community to live in a way that the Nagas “can embrace us again.”

While maintaining that the Sümis are doing well individually, he emphasized on the urgency to come together as a community to thrive. We are known to be bold, but are we able to display that boldness for truth when we go out of our homes, he posed, and deliberated on the need to rethink and engage in serious discussions along the social, political and economic lines.

Zhimomi also urged the community to be hard working and earn with “our own two hands” and try to be self-sufficient, instead of just waiting on the government or someone to relieve them from their struggle. Emphasising on the importance of farming and farmers, he said that farming is a respectable occupation in other countries. Maintaining that the Nagas are blessed with fertile lands, he insisted upon the youths to take up farming and try to be a progressive farmer.

The conference was a full house of Sümi elders and eminent personalities, leaders from different frontal organisations such as Sümi Hoho, Sümi Kukami Hoho, Western Sümi Hoho, Western Sümi Kukami Hoho, Sümi Totimi Hoho, Western Sümi Totimi Hoho, village chiefs and youth fronts.

Earlier during the conference, short greetings were delivered by Vihoto K Achumi, convenor Judicial Board WSH; Nikheto Zhimomi, president Sumi Hoho; Kashito Yepthomi, president Sümi Kukami Hoho; Vikuto Achumi, president Western Sümi Kukami Hoho.

The conference also adopted a nine-point resolution named ‘Chekiye resolution,’ dwelling on important issues confronting the society. New office bearers of the WSH were also elected with Shikaho Zhimomi as the president, Vikato K Achumi the vice president and Vikato Shikhu as the general secretary for the tenure of 2023 – 2026. Rev Dr Phughoto Sema, Executive Secretary WSBAK Akuvuto pronounced the blessing over the old and newly elected office bearers.