‘Nagas cannot survive alone’

Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 30

Nagaland PWD (Housing & Mechanical) Minister, Tongpang Ozukum today said that Nagas cannot survive alone, for which the people need to peacefully co-existence and have respectful relationship within Naga society and also with neighbors.

“We must create a harmonious environment where respect, democracy, justice and peace are the founding stones of our interdependent relationships,” Ozukum said while addressing the 29th general conference of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) here at Naga Solidarity Park.

Ozukum, who is a former NSF President, stressed on the need to change the mindset of the people, “correct our mistakes, forgive each other of the past wrong doings and move forward with the rest of the world; then only we can become a force for cooperation and collaboration.”

He reminded the gathering that the formation of the NSF was neither due to sheer historical incident nor a mere perfunctory action of some student leaders. Ozukum said it was a calculated and premeditated step taken by the educated Naga youths who felt the need for a collective pan-naga students’ body through which they could articulate the Naga aspirations and at the same time respond to the issues confronting the students’ community and the Nagas as a whole.

He said the NSF functions not only as the guardian of the students’ community, but as a pressure group on all issues and contributed positively in formulation of important public policies.

“Since the inception of the federation, we have always been at the forefront of socio-political activities thereby making significant contributions to the Naga political movement as well,” he stated.

He asserted that successive NSF officials should be reminded that while upholding the functioning system of the federation, “we must continue to make our presence felt not only within Naga society but even beyond our territory.”
 
‘Naga society in shambles’
“Our Naga society when we look at it is in shambles. What really pains me is the fact that, there is not a single apex Naga organization which has the representation of the entire Naga community. Because of which, our voices are less heard and our forces are weaker because we are divided, there is hatred and tribalism is deeply rooted in us,” said Ozukum.

The irony, he stated is that this is happening while the people urge the Naga national workers to come together as one. 

Meanwhile, he said that the exercise of Registry of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) is intended for proper certification of the indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland.

“RIIN exercise will also look into the prevailing adoption practices in our state which I think is in line with the NSF stand on Nagas by blood and not by adoption,” Ozukum said.

In this, the Minister welcomed suggestions from the NSF for proper formulation of the policy “so that no citizen is deprived of their inherent rights.”

Later, Editor and Publisher of The Morung Express, Dr Aküm Longchari spoke on the conference theme ‘Towards Harmony,’ which was moderated by Nepuni Piku, member, Forum for Naga Reconciliation.

The theme session was chaired by organizing committee member Esther Rhakho while Organizing Committee Convenor, Subenthung Kithan delivered the welcome address.

NSF General Secretary, Liremo R Kikon presented the activities of the NSF during the tenure 2019-2021.

It may be noted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the one day conference was held with limited attendance and strict adherence to COVID-19 SOPs.

The conference, which was initially proposed as 3-day conference and scheduled in Ukhrul, Manipur with Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong as host, was cancelled after a surge in COVID-19 cases.