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A Chesezu village troupe sings a folk song during the 37th general session of the Chakhesang Public Organisation, on Jan. 9, in Phek district.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 9 (EMN): The two-day 37th general session of the Chakhesang community’s tribal apex the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), and the tribe’s 5th Chakhesang Day began on Wed. Jan. 9 at Chesezu village in Phek district. The event has the slogan “Unity through justice.”
Advocate Timikha Koza and president of the Tenyimi People’s Organisation spoke about the Article 371 (A), constituting special provisions to the state of Nagaland.
“We need to defend and protect the Article 371 (A),” Koza said. ‘Whatever belong to us is ours,’ and it is guaranteed in the article, he said. ‘We earned the statehood of Nagaland through sweat, tears, and blood,’ he added.
The advocate went so far to claim that the “criminal and legal system is one of the best in Nagaland.” At the end of the day, it all comes down to “forgiveness,” he asserted. ‘Justice is readily available at the doorstep,” he said. In fact, he claimed, Nagaland is the “most democratic” and even the “most communistic” in terms of legal system.
The speaker urged the civil society to defend the provisions constituted in the article, ‘as lawyers tend to be biased.’ The provisions in Article 371 (A) particularly ‘land and its resources’ are “consciously” constituted and the people must also be aware of such provisions, he said.
According to Koza, the Nagas people ‘lack in dialogue and discussion’ and encouraged the gathering to develop a culture of dialogue and reason things together for the welfare of the people. Likewise, he urged the intellectuals and leaders of the community to take ‘right decision.’
In other matters, Koza claimed that the Chakhesang community was “respected for their honesty.” He asked the gathering to adopt such a value and live upright lives. ‘It is encouraging to witnessed our community practising such trait till today,’ he asserted.
The president of the Chakhesang Public Organisation Kekhwengulo Lea delivered the presidential address. He gave an overview of the resolutions that were undertaken by the CPO during the previous three terms. He said that the organisation ‘goes with the decision of the people.’
The organisation’s leader urged the young generation to create, strengthen and develop ‘transparency’ in their ‘political stance.’ He was of the view that quality education should be imparted to the young and students.
“Let’s uplift the welfare of the community,” Lea said.
As a sign of respect to one another’s dialect, the CPO has compiled a book which has been translated into all the Chakhesang dialects. Despite the existence of various denominations among the community, the organisation has decided to organise a common platform with the theme “unity in Christ” for all once in every three year.
Kühüsayi Nyekha, chairman of Tsüswüveh delivered the welcome note at the event. He hoped that the event would “ unite our family; strengthen us as tribe to lead our nation for a better tomorrow.”
Presidents from various Chakhesang organisations gave a short presentation on the topic ‘uplift of the community.’ Some of the pointers included the need for higher and quality education; promotion of small scale industries and farming; better road connectivity and electricity facilities. The organisation’s session will conclude on Jan. 10.
During the event, a new team of office bearers to lead the CPO, for the tenure 2019- 21 was instated. Mikha Kenye from Zapami village has been declared the new president of the CPO while Vedüvo Rhakho is its new general secretary.
