Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio speaking during the Tokhu Emong festival held at State Stadium Dimapur on Monday. Also seen is NPCC President and Congress MLA Sungit Jamir. (Sorei Mahong/Photo)
Dimapur | November 7 : Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today expressed frustration that crimes and “anti-socials” have begun to ruin the only economic and commercial centre of the State.
Businesses are leaving and the fact that Nagaland and her people would prosper only if Dimapur prospers, “the people must create peace, do away with fear,” the Chief Minister told a huge gathering at the ‘state stadium’ during celebration of Tokhu Emung, the principal festival of the Kyong Naga community.
Addressing the crowd as chief guest of the celebration, Neiphiu Rio expressed sadness that Dimapur, “miniature India; miniature Nagaland,” is already headed for ruin. Referring to the recent protests and “people’s campaign against crime,” in Dimapur, the Chief Minister said the ‘menace of extortion, kidnapping’ must be stopped so that the “hub can begin to look and feel like a commercial hub again.”
The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Dimapur civil society for willing to speak out against all anti-social activities. But, he said, more needs to be done. “I want to remind all of us to remind ourselves of our responsibility; (it is a collective effort) it is the responsibility of the government; responsibility of the public; it is not only the responsibility of the state government alone,” Rio said.
In an apparent reference to extortion, the Chief Minister posed a query – “without labor, how can you harvest? Without harvest how can you celebrate? We have much more things to do; we have so many things in mind,” Rio said. “If we have to celebrate we must first create peace.” Relatively, Neiphiu Rio referred to how the “anti-socials” and society’s fear of them are impacting the economy of the state. “Both Nagas and non-Nagas” are “earning from here” but ‘taking the money outside’ now, he lamented.
“It is sad because of anti-socials, many non-Nagas and Nagas earn here and take away the harvest to invest elsewhere because of the fear.
They don’t keep anything now in Dimapur; buildings are emptying; stores are emptying; if you want anything, they will bring a sample from outside first,” the Chief Minister said.
To be prosperous, peace must be created; do away with fear and make peace or people won’t invest here, Rio said in exhortation to the gathering.
If the trend continues, he cautioned, “the people will leave; the brains will leave and the common people would be the only ones left; they would be the ones left to quarrel among themselves.”
The Chief Minister also called for unity of all sections of the Naga society, both the undergrounds and the “overgounds.” He explained that the Nagas enjoy talking about reconciliation, about reconciling the undergrounds and how the “UGs” must unite. “But the overgounds are more divided than the undergrounds!” Neiphiu Rio thundered to the gathered people. “Overgrounds are more disunited!”
Calling for unity, the Chief Minister said the people must foster peace, “do away with fear and build the state and her people again. Let us have peace so we can continue to celebrate more festivals in the land of festivals,” he said.
Businesses are leaving and the fact that Nagaland and her people would prosper only if Dimapur prospers, “the people must create peace, do away with fear,” the Chief Minister told a huge gathering at the ‘state stadium’ during celebration of Tokhu Emung, the principal festival of the Kyong Naga community.
Addressing the crowd as chief guest of the celebration, Neiphiu Rio expressed sadness that Dimapur, “miniature India; miniature Nagaland,” is already headed for ruin. Referring to the recent protests and “people’s campaign against crime,” in Dimapur, the Chief Minister said the ‘menace of extortion, kidnapping’ must be stopped so that the “hub can begin to look and feel like a commercial hub again.”
The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of Dimapur civil society for willing to speak out against all anti-social activities. But, he said, more needs to be done. “I want to remind all of us to remind ourselves of our responsibility; (it is a collective effort) it is the responsibility of the government; responsibility of the public; it is not only the responsibility of the state government alone,” Rio said.
In an apparent reference to extortion, the Chief Minister posed a query – “without labor, how can you harvest? Without harvest how can you celebrate? We have much more things to do; we have so many things in mind,” Rio said. “If we have to celebrate we must first create peace.” Relatively, Neiphiu Rio referred to how the “anti-socials” and society’s fear of them are impacting the economy of the state. “Both Nagas and non-Nagas” are “earning from here” but ‘taking the money outside’ now, he lamented.
“It is sad because of anti-socials, many non-Nagas and Nagas earn here and take away the harvest to invest elsewhere because of the fear.
They don’t keep anything now in Dimapur; buildings are emptying; stores are emptying; if you want anything, they will bring a sample from outside first,” the Chief Minister said.
To be prosperous, peace must be created; do away with fear and make peace or people won’t invest here, Rio said in exhortation to the gathering.
If the trend continues, he cautioned, “the people will leave; the brains will leave and the common people would be the only ones left; they would be the ones left to quarrel among themselves.”
The Chief Minister also called for unity of all sections of the Naga society, both the undergrounds and the “overgounds.” He explained that the Nagas enjoy talking about reconciliation, about reconciling the undergrounds and how the “UGs” must unite. “But the overgounds are more divided than the undergrounds!” Neiphiu Rio thundered to the gathered people. “Overgrounds are more disunited!”
Calling for unity, the Chief Minister said the people must foster peace, “do away with fear and build the state and her people again. Let us have peace so we can continue to celebrate more festivals in the land of festivals,” he said.
‘Wild animals’ victim of festivities in Nagaland’
Chizokho Vero
Lakhuti/ Wokha | November 7
Minister for Health & Family Welfare Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienu today expressed regret that wild animals and birds have become the victim of festivities in Nagaland. He was speaking at the premier festival of Lotha- Nagas- Tokhu Emong here today. Lakhuti lies 45 km away from district headquarter Wokha.
The Minister asserted that the rich traditions and culture possessed by Nagas speaks volumes of Naga identity and the peaceful attitude of the people. He said Nagas are peace loving people and economically sound but when it comes to festivals, wild animals and birds become the victim of the festivals.
In this, he stressed the need to adapt the new culture and restrain from using wild animals and birds during the festivals. He told the villagers to use domestic animals on such occasions in order to preserve the nature and to save Mother Earth.
Stating that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is generous and treats everyone equally, he said the government will bring a big project to Lakhuti village before the next State general elections. Preferring to keep mum on the type of project as of now, the Minister said the project will be made visible soon.
Pleased by the number of good leaders being produced by Lakhuti village and the village also known for producing many officers, he told them not to be arrogant; rather to be more humble so God will bless them. Azo also stressed on the need to know as to how to preserve the senior leaders so that they can put their footprint in the village.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan, NPF vice president in-charge of Wokha district, Pusazo Luruo also spoke on the occasion. The significance of the festival was briefed by Mhonchumo Ngully.
Tokhü Emong is the harvest festival of the Lothas. With the harvest done and the granaries full, the people now take a respite from the toils and sweat and settle down to enjoy the fruits of one’s hard labour. Tokhü Emong is celebrated in the 1st week of November every year. Merry making, seeking forgiveness, reconciliation among the family and friend circles, seeking God blessing marks the weeklong festival.
Lakhuti/ Wokha | November 7
Minister for Health & Family Welfare Küzholüzo (Azo) Nienu today expressed regret that wild animals and birds have become the victim of festivities in Nagaland. He was speaking at the premier festival of Lotha- Nagas- Tokhu Emong here today. Lakhuti lies 45 km away from district headquarter Wokha.
The Minister asserted that the rich traditions and culture possessed by Nagas speaks volumes of Naga identity and the peaceful attitude of the people. He said Nagas are peace loving people and economically sound but when it comes to festivals, wild animals and birds become the victim of the festivals.
In this, he stressed the need to adapt the new culture and restrain from using wild animals and birds during the festivals. He told the villagers to use domestic animals on such occasions in order to preserve the nature and to save Mother Earth.
Stating that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio is generous and treats everyone equally, he said the government will bring a big project to Lakhuti village before the next State general elections. Preferring to keep mum on the type of project as of now, the Minister said the project will be made visible soon.
Pleased by the number of good leaders being produced by Lakhuti village and the village also known for producing many officers, he told them not to be arrogant; rather to be more humble so God will bless them. Azo also stressed on the need to know as to how to preserve the senior leaders so that they can put their footprint in the village.
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Deputy Speaker Ralanthung Yanthan, NPF vice president in-charge of Wokha district, Pusazo Luruo also spoke on the occasion. The significance of the festival was briefed by Mhonchumo Ngully.
Tokhü Emong is the harvest festival of the Lothas. With the harvest done and the granaries full, the people now take a respite from the toils and sweat and settle down to enjoy the fruits of one’s hard labour. Tokhü Emong is celebrated in the 1st week of November every year. Merry making, seeking forgiveness, reconciliation among the family and friend circles, seeking God blessing marks the weeklong festival.
