Nagaland CM reiterates calls for Sumis to be ‘Warriors of Peace’

• Inaugurates new administrative complex in Pughoboto
• Subdivision gets first SBI branch

Pughoboto, October 17 (MExN): Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio today reiterated his called on the Sumi people, known as ‘Warrior Tribe’ of Nagaland, to become ‘Warriors of Peace.’ 

Stand together for unity and fraternity which will foster peace, progress and prosperity for all, he exhorted the community, he exhorted, addressing the official inauguration event of the New Administrative Complex in Pughoboto.

Rio also lauded to the administration and the public of Pughoboto for showing resilience and sincere dedication towards development of the region. 

Underscoring the historical importance of Pughoboto region and the ‘Sumi Aphuyemis’ which has pioneered and produced exemplary leadership and achievements in Nagaland, he also urged the youth of the region to follow suit.

CM Rio also encouraged the officials in the Subdivision to proactively participate and impart acquired knowledge and skills with the community and stressed on the importance of cooperation and support between public officials and the public to achieve overall development. 

He also dwelt on pursuing government services through the various state examinations as well as entrepreneurial opportunities through the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMFI). 

Speaking on the importance of health care Rio also highlighted the success of Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and urged the public to avail its benefits.

Among others, Minister for Roads & Bridges, G Kaito Aye; Minister for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir; Sumi Legislators, Advisors, MLAs and a host of senior government officials attended the inaugural event.

In concurrence with the New Administrative Complex, the Office of Executive Engineer PWD (R&B), Functional Manager Sub-DIC and Assistant Public Relation Office were inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

As per the State DIPR, the other departments are also expected to relocate their offices to the new complex, making it a ‘hub of administrative activity.’

On October 16, CM Rio also  inaugurated the first ever branch of State Bank of India (SBI) for the subdivision at Pughoboto Town and the GB’s Customary Court under the aegis of the Sumi Aphuyemi Kukami Hoho (SAKH). 

Speaking on the occasion,  MLA, Dr Sukhato A Sema maintained that  Rio’s ‘dynamic and abled leadership’ is bearing the fruits of politics and good governance and said that the inauguration of new complex will not only benefit general public but ensure stability in functioning of the Government, he said.

He also expressed appreciation to the CM, Deputy CMs, Cabinet Ministers, Advisors, MLAs and Bureaucrats for timely intervention and payment of Land compensation to land Donors (Mishilimi Village & Lazami).

Further, Sema opined that the opening of the new SBI branch would  ensure accessible banking facilities to the people and boost the economy of the Sub-Division. 

The people of Pughoboto will soon see the light of Prime Minister Employment Generation Scheme (PEGS) and the Corporate Social Responsibility, he added.

The opening of SAKH’s “GB’s Customary Court” in line with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiyam (BSN), 2023 ( replacingThe Indian Evidence Act, 1872) allowing for the preservation of community-specific traditions and practices would further empowers courts to recognise and enforce these customary rights, Sema said.

The people of Pughoboto will be once again deeply rooted in the socio-cultural fabric of Sumi (Naga) which has evolved over centuries, shaping and being shaped by the lives of the people it governs, he held. 

According to Tiameren Chang, ADC and Convenor of the Planning Committee, the new complex symbolizes growth, vision, and a commitment to creating an inspiring and innovative environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and the efficiency of public services.

Expressing gratitude to various stakeholders for making the complex a reality, he especially acknowledged the people of Mishilimi and Lazami Village for generously providing the land for the purpose. 

Meanwhile, taking advantage of the Chief Minister’s presence, Advocate Joshua Sheqi submitted a Memorandum of the Subdivision Administration on the occasion.

The memorandum included requests for the upgradation of EAC Ghathashi to SDO (C), the creation of EAC headquarters for the KT area at Chisholimi village, and for the Asukiqa area at Asukiqa town. 

It also called for the establishment of a sub-treasury office as well as a full-fledged Pughoboto Town Council.

Additionally, the memorandum requested the establishment of an RD block in Asukiqa to serve the people of the Pughoboto and Asukiqa areas.

ABOUT PUGHOBOTO:
As per the State DIPR, the inauguration of the New Administrative Complex marks a significant milestone for the people of Pughoboto, also known as the ‘Sumi Aphuyemi’, literally translated as the ‘first settlers’, because the Sumis first settled in this part of the land and thereon migrated to various parts of Zunheboto District, somewhere in the 15th Century. 

Pughoboto Sub-Divisional Headquarter was first established in 1943 with the aim to start a school at Natsumi Village land where there were lots of ‘Pughobo Trees.’ In Sümi “Pughobo” means the tree “Quercus” (Oak Tree Family) hence, the place came to be called as Pughoboto.

Thereafter in the year 1945 a school was established at  Natsumi Village which was shifted to the present Pughoboto Govt. Higher Secondary School in 1948 to provide education to the neighbouring villages including Saptiqa, and Mishilimi Village donated 4 cycle of Jhum field for establishment of Pughoboto Town. In 1948, Pughoboto became an administrative headquarter with setting up of a Bench Court with Khakhu Dighali as the chairman. In 1958, it was upgraded to Area Superintendent with Tuyi Mokhogho as Area Superintendent which was further upgraded to Circle Office with Chetri as the Circle Officer. It was upgraded to EAC and SDO (C) headquarters in 1973 and 1982 respectively. The long awaited dream was finally realized when it was ultimately upgraded to a full-fledged Sub-Division in 1986 with H.K. Khulu, IAS as the first ADC. 

Pughoboto is one of the oldest Sub-Divisions in the State with 24 Government recognized village with the status of a separate Election District since 1987 and a separate Sub-Division Planning Development Board (SDPDB) since 2012. The Sub-Division is divided into two Administrative Circles namely Pughoboto and Ghathashi, having four ranges namely Puhokito Range, Asukiqa Range, Ghathashi Range and Khucho Tsuyi (KT) Range.