Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 8
Nearly three decades ago, Yachem - a Phom Village under Longleng District, and Changtongya - an Ao Village under Mokokchung District, were belligerent neighbours.
However, on October 2, 1989, concerted efforts of members from the two villages with the help of the Church put an end to a dispute running over 225 years as per the records maintained by two villages.
Since then, the two villages, known for ‘cloistering’ each other before, has turned into bosom friends and the treaty has stood the test of time and is periodically reaffirmed through various activities.
One such event was held here on Sunday when citizens from both villages gathered to hold a combine fellowship service for celebrating their friendship as well as renewing the bond.
Organised by the Dimapur Yachem Fellowship and its Changtongya counterpart, almost all Dimapur residents from both villages and beyond attended the service held at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA).
The common refrain, at the fellowship, was of jubilating the power of peace and the need to carry it forward through constant renewal and affirmation.
Speaking on the occasion, the Advisor Industries & Commerce and Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation Limited, Imnatiba said that the unity between the two villages can act as a channel to strengthen the relationship between Ao and Phom communities.
While the two villages had pledged to uphold peace “until Jesus returns,” the Advisor also pointed out the geographical reality that the two will be always be neighbours.
Therefore, more than anything else, the fraternity and unity between the two is most vital, he said. Imnatiba also called upon the youth from both the village to carry forward the legacy of peace.
Since both are strategically aligned together geographically, the two villages can also act as an industrial corridor, he viewed.
To this end, he called for envisaging and moving forward with smart industry rather than conventional idea of industrialisation, and recognise the mutual interdependency between the two.
State Tourism Joint Secretary, M Shayung Phom also called for sharing the fruits saying, when we solemnly come together, the fruit of peace and unity should be shared in all places where the two villagers reside.
In order to have meaningful peace, simply signing on agreement would not suffice, he said while asking, “We have peace but do we have love and concern for each other?”
Phom, thus, called for having “special corners” for each other as well as sincerity in “oneness and unity.” He also batted for familiarizing with each other through such gatherings and renewing as well as re-igniting the sense of amity.
Secretary, Church & Mission, ABAM Rev Dr Nuklu Longkumer, who was the main speaker on the occasion, also suggested three measures to make the bond stronger – amicable solution to problems particularly involving the villagers from both villages; looking out for each other no matter the circumstances; and loving one another as if it was one’s own body.
He also called for learning each other’s languages and urged youngsters from both villages to come out with simple vocabulary translation of each other in order to transcend the language barrier.
Dr. Longkumer narrated a brief history of the peace process to highlight its significance. A special prayer for the two legislators from both the villages – Imnatiba, Advisor Industries & Commerce and NIDC Limited, and Minister Health & Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom – was also conducted during the fellowship. The congregation bonded over a combined community lunch after the service.
