Staff Reporter
Dimapur, January 15
The 62nd Phom Laivangh Pangthai (PLP) General Conference which started on 13th of January 2015 with the theme ‘Pursuing Wholeness’ entered its second day with 31 villages under Longleng district gathered at host Orangkong Village for the General Conference which is held after every three years. Though consented Chief Guests could not make it for the students’ conference because of the prevailing political scenario, the spirits of students and citizens were not shattered.
Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) President Shahsha L.Menhahü addressing the students conference reminded that the Constitution of India under Article 371 (A) provides for equal share in the state between the Naga hills of Assam and Tuensang Frontier division. As per the 1961 census the population of Nagaland was 3,68,150 with Kohima of 1,00,650 (including Kacharis, Mikhirs, Gurkhas and non-locals), Mokokchung with 1,21,000 and Tuensang with 1,47,500. If the poplation was divided by 46 Assembly seats in these days than Tuensang would have got 18 Assembly seats, Mokokchung with 15 and Kohima 12 or 13 said ENSF President. But today the six Eastern tribes have got only 20 seats and the rest of Nagas have 40 seats continued the President of ENSF.Drawing attention to all these, he lamented that since day one of the statehood, our democratic rights of proportional representation to the Nagaland state Assembly was denied. So the backwardness of the six tribes of Eastern Nagas was designed since the inceptions of the state.
‘We live in the state with full of challenges where the system is such that we have to fight with the state government demanding Maths and Science teachers in our schools. There are no proper road, water supply, health care with development taking its own course of time. That is the reason why we are demanding for a separate statehood ‘Frontier Nagaland’ stated ENSF President.
He called upon the student community to set their goals right and equip themselves with quality education and while doing so to remember that ‘time’ is the only resource which money can’t buy. He persuaded the young generation of Phom community to have the second vision of education where education should lead to the creation of job providers rather than job seekers.
All Sumi Students Union (SKK) President Holuvi Chophy who also grace the conference stated that Nagas have rich culture and ownership over land and resources. We should not forget our culture but also pave way for development at the same time. In his address he said Nagas are different in opinion and divided in opinion when we should have thousand reasons to work together and the tribes of Nagaland should acknowledge each other and use challenges to work together.
Other highlights of the day two general conference were song presentation by Yongnyah Hongnyü students union, Dimapur Phom Students Union, Tamlu Town Students Union and Yongam Students Union.
