Officials and others during the 118th (1904-2022) foundation day of Longtong (Atuphu) Sema Naga village at Margherita sub-division, Assam on January 25.
Dimapur, January 27 (MExN): The 118th (1904-2022) foundation day of Longtong (Atuphu) Sema Naga village at Margherita sub-division, Assam was commemorated on January 25.
A press release issued by Shitoi Sema, Chairman, Longtong Village Council and Kaseto Sema, GB Longtong Village said that Dr Ranuj Pegu, Minister of Education, Welfare Plain Tribes and Backward Classes, Assam was chief guest while Y Kikheto Sema IAS, Agriculture Production Commissioner, Nagaland was the special guest. Laisam Simai, MLA cum Advisor Tourism, IPR and Printing, Arunachal Pradesh and Dr Hotokhu Chishi, Rtd Director Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland were the guests of honour. Rev Pughoto Aye, Executive Secretary, Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou pronounced the dedicatory prayer for stone unveiling and Dr Ranuj Pegu inaugurated the 118th foundation stone.
Addressing the occasion, Dr Ranuj Pegu shared about his personal affinity with the Naga people and said that Nagas are “beautiful people, who were brave warriors, loving and caring.”
On the matter of villages with nomenclature issues, Pegu stated that the Assam Government has already taken the decision to tackle it by opening a portal where the concerned villages can apply their case and redress the issue. He added that “Government has a specific laws that protects the land and rights of the minority people in Assam” and assured that the development and safety will positively reach these Naga villages in the future.
APC Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema, IAS urged the Longtong village and the remaining five villages to retrospect back to 118 years where their forefathers had the resilience to set up villages. He said, “this village and upper Sema (Sumi) has a great historical significance and urged the villagers that 118 years indicates maturity, they should be able to bring about unity, peace and reconciliation between Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Laisam Simai, MLA cum Advisor, Arunachal Pradesh in his speech stated that the Tangsa people had blood relation with the Nagas and they would gladly yield to their aid if need arises. Dr Vihuto Asumi, General Secretary, Sumi Hoho greeted the gathering and read out the message of the Sümi Hoho President.
Meanwhile, Dr Hotokhu Chishi read out a 3 points memorandum and submitted to Dr Ranuj Pegu Minister of Education, WPT and Backward Classes Government of Assam on behalf of the Longtong Sema Naga Village Council.
