Longleng, one of the latest districts created in the year 2005, was previously a sub-division under Tuensang district. It is mainly inhabited by Phom, though there are a few villages inhabited by Konyak as well as the Ao tribes. It is bounded by Mon district to its North, Assam to its West, Tuensang district to its East and Mokokchung district to its south. Longleng town, the district headquarter, is situated at an altitude of 1,067 meters above sea-level. It is 232 kms from Kohima, the state capital, via Wokha-Mokokchung road.
The first administrative headquarter at Longleng was established in the year 1951 under NEFA. After Statehood, it was upgraded to that of an SDO (C) sub-division in 1978, then in 1987 it was brought up to the status of an ADC (C) headquarter.
However, even before becoming a full fledged district, Village guards have always been a part of the history of this distinct area since the raising of the then Village Guards and continue to be so. An incident which depicts the contribution of the VGs in the maintenance of peace and defense of the villages is given below.
In the year 1986 Yongphang village witnessed one of the fiercest attacks by heavily armed insurgents. Eighty three homes were burnt down causing extensive damage to the village. The Village Guards were there on the forefront to protect the village and its people. However, during this brave response to the call of duty, two valiant VGs lost their lives, while the Assistant Commandant also received serious injury during the retaliation.
The VGs continue to work towards keeping a vigilant check on insurgency movement and activity in and around the district. VGs are regularly deployed for operations in the jungles of the district away from the comforts of their villages and families. Besides this crucial role as “Village-Guards”, their services to the people are manifold ranging from settling Land dispute matters to Arms inspection etc.
Village Guards of Longleng District have and will continue to be an integral protection force for the frontier villages.
A DIPR feature
(Source: Office of the Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner, Nagaland, Kohima)
