Dimapur belongs to the Nagas, Chümoukedima Village is the traditional owner.
My attention is drawn to a video interview titled “GB Kahuto Chishi Sumi on New Market GB Abdul Talukdar and Social Media comments” of a person Kahuto Chishi G.B (Village not mentioned) circulating on social media platforms. While commending his keenness and passion on the relevant issue being discussed in the interview, I express my disappointment at his haste with the remarks made on the History of Dimapur, disparaging the well-documented history of my Village Chümoukedima and my community in general, no individual or group should indulge in callous acts of distorting History of others. In this interview, the mentioned GB has made an erroneous statement questioning the History of Dimapur, I do not know this person or what he does therefore it is unwise to question his intention, however, I am compelled to address the erroneous statement which is distorting the History of my people, and as one GB to another, I advice Mr Kahuto Chishi Sumi to be more responsible and aware in the future.
I agree with Mr. Kahuto Chishi’s statement that “In Nagaland, no tribes own lands. Only the Village owns Land”, In his question ” Dimapur toh Naga manu laga ase koile kun tribe laga ase, tribe laga ase koile kun Village laga ase?” I am happy to disclose that Chümoukedima is the traditional owner of Dimapur and vast swatches of Land way beyond the present Dimapur town and far beyond the boundary of Nagaland state, the same is true with the Lothas, Zeliangs and the Rengmas bordering Assam. It is also true that only after the British Raj brought the Railway, did Dimapur town become a bustling trading town, however, it is also true that centuries before the advent of the British Raj, the marauding warriors of Angami Nagas frequented far beyond Dimapur raiding and exacting tax from villages and also engaged in trading and barter. Dimapur as we know was not the proper capital of the Dimasa Kingdom, it was only a refuge, compelled by the invasion of the mighty Ahoms.
There is no dearth of written records to prove the existence of any other tribe in between the Angami area and Assam prior to the British Advent of the Nagas, Even in the Burajis the recorded history of the Ahom, it is written that Sukhapha has encountered a kachari group who were forced out of a place called Mohung (Mohung Dejao) after losing it to the Angami Nagas. Before the advent of the Britishers to Naga Country, Chümoukedima people controlled and received tributes from all the areas now in present Karbi Anglong, Assam and the tributes were exacted even some 30 years after the first British expedition to the Naga Hills in 1832. In 1851, Tularam Senapati, the principal chief of North Kachar Assam, recorded that the Nagas controlled most of the areas of Cachar. As late as 1912, the British Government recorded that the Boundary of the then-Naga Hills extended much beyond the present boundary of Nagaland. There are several such recorded histories to establish that the present Dimapur and beyond belonged to Chümoukedima. It may be noted that “Samaguting” is the mispronounced term for Chümoukedima and it has been clarified in the book written by Varrier Elwin’s “The Nagas in the Nineteenth Century” where on page 29, it was mentioned clearly that “I say Samaguting as it has become the common appellation but correctly speaking it should be Chumookodima” (1874, Jan 23rd). It also mentioned how Chümoukedima people received yearly tax in the form of salt and cattle from people located as far as Nowgong (Nagaon) and this was confirmed by ER Grange, who in 1840 while writing about the Kacharis mentioned on page 218 that in and around present-day Manja area (Mahong Dijao), “The Cacharees here (Bokolea), till within two years past, have been obliged to pay tribute to the Nagas of Sumoogoding, to preserve peace. The tribute consisted of a cow or bullock, and one maund of salt per annum.”.
At present, Dimapur District has become a cosmopolitan City, home to many ethnic groups and the undeniable fact that it now belongs to everybody, however, it is completely wrong to state that Dimapur does not belong to the Nagas because Dimapur District and lands far beyond traditionally belongs to the Nagas, it traditionally belongs to the Angamis and it traditionally belongs to Chümoukedima Village. No Nagas in their right mind should try and distort such important historical facts and records, it would be folly to sell off our inherent claim and rights as Nagas just to appease and contain some petty issues like the New Market GB issue.
Kahuto Chishi knows that he is a migrator from the Atoizu area of Zunheboto District, and his village where he is GB is not traditional but a recognized Village, established with the permission of the Government of Nagaland, and there are many such Villages under Dimapur and which are accepted and there is no controversy on their genuineness, however, it is very inappropriate and dangerous for the entire Nagas if individuals or parties engage in distortion of Recorded Historical facts, and Nagas will pay a heavy price if such acts are encouraged. I therefore urge Mr Kahuto Chishi as a fellow GB to be more considerate and thoughtful in his approach to Dimapur History or any other issues that involve the rights and traditions of other groups or communities. As leaders, it is incumbent on us not to mislead but to lead and be an example for our people.
I further wish him the best in the days to come.
Khriezo Shüya
GB
Chümoukedima Village