Forgive and let peace prevail for posterity, says Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 8 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday urged the Angami community to be united, forgive, contribute towards welfare of all Nagas and let peace prevail for posterity.

He was addressing the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Angami Public Organisation (APO), the apex tribal body of the Angami Naga tribe, at Khouchiezie in Kohima.

On reaching the 50-year milestone, Rio paid homage to the founding leaders of APO led by its first president Zapouvisie Lhousa in 1972 amid turmoil, with a vision for the people; brought the masses together, paving the way for development. He also acknowledged the contributions and efforts of the APO leaders in successive terms.

The chief minister opined that the Angamis were lucky and blessed to have many leaders and forefathers who sacrificed and contributed greatly to the Naga movement.

Recounting the past, he said the Angamis waged war against the British when the latter 1832 attempted to annex the Naga Hills before it ended in 1879. The people made peace with the British and Kohima was subsequently made the centre of administration and later the capital of the state, he added.

When the British were planning to leave, Naga people wrote to the Simon Commission, wherein 15 out of the 21 signatories were from the Angami tribe, he said, while adding that the community had led and tremendously contributed to the Naga political movement.

Rio told the gathering that all such contributions and sacrifices were blessings which were passed down the generations. He said the people are benefitting from the foundation laid by the pioneers in delivering justice and to serve the people with truth, while acknowledging the blessings of the Angami community on him.

He also told the people to uphold the good values of yore and the ancestors; preserve and the good traditions, heritage and culture, which are blessings to the community. He said the British, who came during the headhunting era, were amazed by the terrace rice cultivation and other agricultural practices adopted by the people, as well as the culture.

Speaking about the theme of the Golden Jubilee celebration “Angamimia Therhu”, meaning ‘sense of honour among the Angamis’, he said ‘it is not one’s accomplishments but the contributions of the elders for the Angami community and the Nagas at large, which the younger generation has inherited, and for which the people honour’.

He urged the present generation not to diminish the earned legacy but strengthen it by not confining to the community but allowing all the Nagas to gain from it. Shunt pride and prejudices; rather encourage one another for a good living with ‘Right is Might’ (APO’s motto) and fear God to progress, he added

On the proposed Golden Jubilee commemorative building- Nousi Ki (Unity/ Understanding house), which the APO had appealed to its citizens to contribute, Rio also urged the people to join hands while assuring that the legislators would also do their best.

It was informed that the Angami Gazetted Officers Krotho (AGOK) and entrepreneurs will also contribute towards the project.

Words from founding president

The founding president of APO, Zapuvisie Lhousa, extended greetings to the people on the occasion of 50 years anniversary of the organisation. He told the gathering that the purpose of starting the organisation was neither to target nor oppose anyone or political party but to work for the welfare of the people, to preserve and protect the flora and fauna and the biodiversity in its jurisdiction.

He also urged the Angami community to truthfully contribute for the cause of the Naga political issue and called upon the people to love one another and be more understanding towards a brighter future.

The presidential address was delivered by incumbent APO president Razouvotuo Chatsu, while Convenor of the Organising Committee Neibou Sekhose delivered the welcome address and speech on behalf of the area presidents by Zeneituo Yano.

The event also saw several cultural and musical performances.

Earlier in the programme, the chief minister hoisted the APO Golden Jubilee flag, while the APO president hoisted the organisation’s flag; presidents of NAPO, SAPO, WAPO and CPO unfurled their respected flags; and all the 104 Angami villages council chairmen hoisted their respective village flags.