EMN
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 29
The people of Nagaland cannot afford to ‘inherit’ the culture of bloodshed and then have to leave it as a legacy for the future generations of the state, a government official has said even while appealing for bloodshed to end in the deeply divided society of Nagaland.
Expressing pain over the killings that are taking place in the Naga society, the secretary of Finance, Government of Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema IAS has said that the Naga people could not afford to inherit killings and then pass it on to next generation.
Speaking at the 36th annual session of Diphupar Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu (DSKK) at Diphupar in Dimapur on Tuesday, December 29, Sema said there was ‘time for hatred, animosity, peace and for everything’ but “now is the time for Nagas to make peace and not war.”
Referring to the motto of the students’ organization, “Live for Value,” the secretary said that living a valuable life meant that one should value life. However, Kikheto expressed regret that the value of life had ‘drastically eroded’ with rampant killings in the Naga society continuing every day. He called upon the Naga people to ‘forgive and forget the past and to move on together as one towards a greater future.’
“Let killings be the past and let peace and unity be the future,” the government official appealed.
Describing Diphupar as a cosmopolitan area where almost all Naga communities reside, he encouraged the Sumi community inhabiting the area to set positive examples and promote peace and unity.
According to the government official, setting any positive example should begin from the inside which would gradually begin to glow and would be noticed by people.
“It is not the external that makes you a person but the inner qualities which actually defines a person.” Kikheto Sema said. He advised the students to be humble as they climb the ladder of success and contribute their part to the society.
Delivering a brief speech, Diphupar Naga Students’ Union’s President, Sakulemba Jamir, lauded the support and contributions rendered by the DSKK towards Diphupar village and its constituents.
The inaugural programme of DSKK annual session was attended by a host of former officials from the Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu, and Western Sumi Hoho. Sumi officers and other dignitaries also attended the event. The annual session will culminate on December 30.