20/09/2023
A CONCERN SHARED TO BOTH CHOZUBA AREA AND SEMA BROTHERS ALIKE:
1. It's painful to see the unfortunate incident that happened on 5th September 2023 night at Chozuba Town between the Chozuba Town Youth Association(CTYA) and Mr. Abel Asumi during a frisking/checking conducted by the former on drug menace/cartel which had ignited a heated and unwanted exchange of words as shown on viral videos. Today, it is 16 days running. As the case is now in the courts of CRPO, CPO, DC(Pk) and even of the High Court, Kohima Bench, I will not narrate the story again. My narration of the same story can rather invite a negative reaction from one side or both.
2. However, for our friendly co-existence and future survival, I want to share some naked truths whether you like it or not. From 1990-1996, during the most infectious fights of underground factions, some Chozuba Town denizens began to do well mostly in running small food hotels and vegetable vendors. And that business was due to a single daily bus that run to and fro between Zunheboto-Kohima and from Kohima-Zunheboto added with some other vehicles(mostly jeeps in those days) travelling on the same road.
3. Unfortunately, during the years 1996 and 1997, some mischievous and uncontrollable youths of Chozuba Town under the pretext of one Naga Underground faction, with muzzleloading and double-barrel guns, they stopped the Zunheboto bus in Yorübami village land area. And it was seen on local Newspapers; they assaulted the passengers, robbed their precious belongings and even molested some women to the extent of attempted r**e. Unfortunately, the ring leader of that gang did not live long, he died not very long after that incident. Thus, Chozuba Town youths had greatly wronged our Sema people which they should never do. It deeply hurt our Sema brothers and sisters. Chozuba leaders sincerely apologised, but an irreparable damage had been done, and a permanent scar/mark of shame had been sealed on the forehead of Chozuba Town people. If such unwanted situation has to happen again on any Sema friend at Chozuba Town today; naturally, there is every possibility that a Sema can be very reactionary and defensive as seen in the case of Mr. Abel Asumi.
4. Since then, our Sema travellers from Zunheboto-Kohima and Kohima-Zunheboto changed their travelling routes; never to travel on this Chozuba road, never to halt, eat, drink or buy at Chozuba Town again. A saying goes, "A fox accused", "gr**e-fruits are soar". "Foods at Chozuba Town were poisonous" were words, perhaps, uttered or derived from this sort of discontentment.
Ever since then; (it is now running 27 years), businesses at Chozuba Town vertically came down and were completely crippled never to rise again till today. Many food hotels were given up as there was none to eat, and so also vegetable vendors as there were less customers to buy. Without customers, a business can never thrive or succeed. Travellers and tourists are the best sources of businesses.
5. Pfütsero Town citizens do better business making theirs as a potential commercial centre by its own people by welcoming and giving the best services, protection and security to the travellers of the daily buses and vehicles those pass through their town heart on the life-line from Kiphire and Meluri road to Kohima-Dimapur, and from Dimapur-Kohima back to Kiphire and Meluri and all other vehicles. Chozuba people need to learn business basic and foundation from Pfutsero Town people. Don't hate, harass or chase away your potential customers. Without this realisation, Chozuba area cannot progress well or thrive in their businesses.
6. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE RELATION BETWEEN SEMAS AND CHAKHESANGS?
Do you think Semas are aliens/foreigners to Chakhesang people because they speak a different dialect? Many Semas were the first native settlers of today's Chakhesang areas before the coming of Ahomiah/Assamese people. History clearly enshrine them down in books that 200 years ago, during the Burmese invasion(1817-1824) on Assam, countless displaced Ahomiah/Assamese people more than the local native Naga people came passing through the thick jungles/forests into Naga Hills in hiding escaping the worst impacts of wars, and settled with the native Nagas in the land areas of Angami and Chakhesang by setting up more than 20 new villages during this period. They spread all over to the land areas of Mao, Zeliang, Rengma, Lotha too and pushed many Sema natives northwards to Yachumi and Sangtam countries also.
This had happened only 200 years ago i.e. later part of Medieval history or early part of Modern history. But these true histories were completely concealed/hidden due to the grave danger at that point of time; and due to lack of written records, these historical truths of their migration roots are unknown to their children and childrens' children today. However, these are all clearly written in the history books/Chronicles of Assam/Ahoms.
7. Under such inherited situation, Chakhesangs and Semas were and are thickly mixed blood and closely related brothers.
For instance, in Sema, Zhimo/Zhimomi means in Tenyidie, they are Zhumu/Zhumunumi/Zumvü/Khesoh/Lohe/Kezo/Shijo).
In Sema, Kiho means in Tenyidie, Keyho.
In Sema, Kasho means in Tenyidie, Khesoh.
In Sema, Sumi/Swu means in Tenyidie, Su-o/Shu-o/Sumi/Swu/Asumi. The above were the aborigine settlers.
In Sema, Ayie/Ayiemi/Yeptho/Yepthomi could mean in Chokrizü, Pukuyie/Küyie-o/Küyieotsomi(Puro?).
In Sema, Kapo means in Chokrizů, Kapo/Kapuh/Kapfo.
In Sema, Süro/Sürü could mean in Chokrizů, Swüro/Swürotso/Swurotsomi.
In Sema, Sheqi could mean Chokrizü, Chokri.
In Sema, Neikha means in Chokrizü, Nyekha/Nyenu/Nyenga/Ringa etc. The above possible relations are given subject to further study, research and correction.
Do not think Semas and Chakhesangs are strangers or distant people to each other. Young generations need to do more research on this in order to bring the truth to light.
8. Think twice! A great number of Sumis/Shu-o/Su-o/Swus are in Chakhesang community as native settlers. When the ignorant Chozuba Town youths did something like this to Abel Asumi, it would definitely hurt the sentiments of the Semas of Zunheboto District in general. But the hurt would be no less to the Sumis/Shu-o/Su-o/Swumi in Chakhesang community itself in particular without a word. Likewise, if an assault is to happen on any of the above clans, it will hurt the sentiments of many in Chakhesang area itself. The reason is, because we are closely knitted. Let there be more love and respect among the Semas and Chakhesangs.
When Chozuba Town Youth checked Abel Asumi's vehicle for fear of drug cartel; a menace even when law enforcing agencies find it difficult to successfully deal it with and miserably failing; the good work of our youth is to be highly appreciated. But when no drug was found in his vehicle, and when Abel Asumi was found completely innocent, he should be allowed to go free with a kind and polite word, and a word of excuse for stopping and frisking his vehicle, and for delaying his journey for the sake of humanity. None of us likes someone stopping/checking our vehicle. We know, it hurts. But know that except for the hurt of frisking, not even a hair of Abel Asumi was touched by CTYA except for the exchanging of words from both sides, but even that was found not very serious. As such, to me blowing the small incident out of proportion was not necessary or reasonable. Forgive and forget as brothers.
Semas and Chakhesangs will always be permanent neighbours as created by Almighty God. It is said, "You can choose a friend, but you can never choose a neighbour." No one can alienate the two. Jesus said, "Love thy neighbour as thyself." The Bible says, "If you said, You love God, but hate your brother, you are a liar." Chakhesang and Semas are two true and closest brothers among the Nagas.
9. When a road passes through your land/village/town/area named as "National Highway" or "State Highway", it means the road belongs to the whole nation and state. The road no longer belongs to you, your village/town/area alone. Supposing you drive your own vehicle, travel far to other parts of the state, on your way if a group of people stops you, checks your vehicle and even when you're found innocent, they threaten you by saying, "We are the owners of this land area, we can do anything to you as we like." What will you say or think?
The name of our road is Kohima-Chozuba-Zunheboto road. It means it equally belongs to both Chozuba and Zunheboto people and also to all Nagas. Do not try to claim it selfishly in the wrong way. Give free passage to all Semas except for a criminal. No more harassment.
10. Of course, an individual should not attempt to scare/silence a community in a situation like today's horrifying drug menace/cartels. A community and all its frontal organisations are to be fully aware and stand strong to protect, safeguard and secure its society, but never to take law and order into their own hands under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol is just another drug. And a community should never ignore or suppress the rights and freedom of an individual. An intoxicated person, or a man who is under the influence of alcohol always thinks, claims and insists he knows best and he is right, but how good soever a work he is involved in, something always goes wrong, and not accountable.
We have to think and work how to promote and protect the interest of our community's business, trade, economy or way of earning daily livelihood by building up good relationships among different communities/tribes, but never to demote, damage or kill them. Do not kill peoples' business.
11. Hope Kiphire-Chozuba-Kohima road - a dream will come true sooner. Chozuba and Chetheba people should be fully aware to always guarantee the safety of the travellers on these two roads giving them full protection, safeguard and security i.e. Zunheboto and Kiphire(tomorrow) to Sekruzu-Chozuba-Chetheba-Kohima road - back and forth journeys at all times that no one unnecessarily harass the travellers. Only then, enough customers will be there for more than ten(10) villages on this Sühkrünuzubo range or from Dzülha to Sedzü river. From now on, we must have developed a long range vision for the survival of our area people. We know, soon there will be more buses, trucks and vehicles, and every village will have easy access to sell their produces/products on road sides at their own respective villages which will necessitate and encourage more local productions.
12. Zunheboto-Chozuba-Kohima 2 lane road is the life-line for both Chakhesangs and Semas. Chozuba and Chetheba area farmers/people can never have a better business facility route besides this road. Semas also can never have a better/shorter alternate road than this.
13. It is natural, that misunderstandings, petty differences, or quarrels etc. can always be there, from time to time, again and again even in future, even as it exists in the same family itself. It is no wonder.
However, at all times, we must seek a way through love and peace for solution. We must not seek revenge or try to aggravate or escalate misunderstandings or enmities among our people. It is suicidal. It is self-killing. It only leads to self-destruction. As brothers, even in most difficult situations or in toughest/worst times, seek solution through love, forgiveness and peace in the mighty name of Jesus. "Love is the greatest".
Semas changed their travelling routes for quite some years caused by Chozuba Town naughty youths, and Chozuba Town business was crippled for all those years. However, in doing so, heavy losses and enormous pains had fallen upon the Semas too. It equally crashes both. No one had gained from it. Let us not repeat this kind of self-destruction to own brothers anymore.
This is my personal/individual independent view, not representing any organisation/group.
This is released for open, free and fruitful deliberations, interactions or corrections among brothers.
If anything goes wrong or hurts anyone/group, I alone should be held responsible, none else to be blamed.
Thank you for reading.
Share this to all our Sema and Chakhesang friends.
Zapra Chakhesang,
Kohima, (2023 September 20)
