Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary of ABAM and others at the site of the monument constructed in honour of Yongkongangshi Longchar at Süngratsü village, November 5.
Monument consecrated at Süngratsü village in honour of the Naga national leader “who gave his everything” for Naga sovereignty
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung | November 5
A host of former Naga nationalists, scholars, student leaders and well-wishers came together to join the villagers of Süngratsü today to attend the formal consecration ceremony of a monument built in honour of a Naga national movement pioneer “who gave his everything” for Naga sovereignty.
The history of Naga national movement would be incomplete without the mention of the name of Yongkongangshi Longchar, one of the tallest Naga national figures and a contemporary of the legendary Naga national leader AZ Phizo. Known as Yongkong to his colleagues and co-workers, Yongkongangshi Longchar hailed from Süngratsü village in Mokokchung district. He served the Naga national cause for 51 long years till he breathed his last on April 24, 2006 at Camden University Hospital, London at the age of 83.
The monument consecrated today by Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger, Executive Secretary of Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) in the presence of Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Convenor, Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) as chief guest and a host of other guests was constructed by the people of Süngratsü village and sponsored by the clansmen of Yongkongangshi Longchar. The day’s event also coincided with the tenth death anniversary of the Naga national leader.
Rev. Dr. Wati Aier while addressing the solemn gathering today described the event as an important occurrence of much significance for Nagas and took the opportunity to ask the Ao community what their “agenda” was and stated that the “agenda of the Aos should be written by the Aos.”
He argued that Aos today seemed to be “deconstructing” the “Pan Naga” house whereas they should be leading the cause and asked, “Where are we headed?” Recalling his interaction with Yongkong during their meeting in Atlanta, Aier said that Yongkong was a man who always spoke and worked for the Nagas as a whole.
Time for Nagas to embark on national construction: Rev. Dr. Wati Aier
Aier said that now was the time for Nagas to move forward and added that Nagas needed to be “forward looking.” Acknowledging all credit to AZ Phizo for his “constructionist approach” in constructing the “Pan Naga” identity, he said that the definition of independence “then, not now” was totally correct. “The way we lived, the way we believed; we were independent. Phizo’s nationalism was 100% correct.” However, in the post-modern age of today, he doubted the relevance of “idealistic independence” and “idealistic nationalism” and suggested Nagas should embark on “national construction.” Saying that post-modern politics relates to “identity,” Aier regretted that Nagas do not have an identity yet. He added that the Indian Constitution only categorize the Nagas as “Scheduled Tribes” devoid of any identity. “Naga Raren” or “Naga Identity” is, Aier said, “sovereignty and independence.”
Aier reiterated that how the pioneering Naga national leaders defined independence and sovereignty was totally correct but added that in the context of the day, “constructing nationalism is the call of the day.”
Several speakers including Col. (Rtd.) Aomeri Jamir, Capt. (Rtd.) T. Senka, Dr. Toshi Echa, Dr. Tongdang, Rev. Dr. Mar Atsongchanger and Rongsensashi, Preisdent, NNC Asetkong Unit addressed the gathering.
It may be mentioned Yongkongangshi Longchar was the first graduate from Süngratsü village and was appointed the first Kilonser during the formation of the Federal Government of Nagaland on March 22, 1956. He along with Khodao Yanthan, Gen. Kaito and Maj. Gen. Mowu along with AZ Phizo landed in London on September 10, 1962 to take the Naga case to the world. While all of his compatriots, or their mortal remains, returned home, Yongkong refused to return back saying, as per records, that “he was sent by the Naga people on a mission and that he would not return without the mission being accomplished, dead or alive.” It is also recorded that he insisted that even after his death, he wished his mortal remains be not brought home “so long as Nagaland remain under the dominion of the invaders.”
