Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 17 (EMN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) Martyrs’ Park located below Capital Cultural Hall in Kohima, which was redeveloped over a span of nine months, was opened to public on Saturday.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Land Revenue, and Planning and Coordination, Neiba Kronu, inaugurated the renovated park, while Rev. Dr. Vevo Phesao, senior pastor of Chakhesang Baptist Church Ministers' Hill Kohima, dedicated it in the presence of the families of the three martyrs -- Lt. Vikhozo Yhoshu, Lt. Kekuojalie Sachu, and Lt. Zekope Krome -- NSF executives and others.
The park was renovated as a recreational space under the Kohima Smart City Project which is implemented by Kohima Smart City Development Ltd.
Maintaining that the student body represents the entire Nagas back in 1947 and a platform dear to the people, Kronu, who is also a former president of NSF, said that the space is not just a park but a historic place for Nagas to remember those people who sacrificed their lives fighting for the people.
Chief Executive Officer of Kohima Smart City Development Ltd, K Theunuo, said that it proposed the redevelopment of the NSF Martyrs’ Park as it is located in the central of the state capital and has historical value, aesthetic view and easily accessible.
Considering the needs for public recreational space, the project was taken up under the Head of Heritage and Tourism of the Smart City Mission Plan, he added.
The contract work was awarded to M/s T. Tachu & Co. on Nov.1, 2021 with a budget of INR 1,02,97,000 (approximately INR 10.2 lakh) and completion period of nine months which included dismantling of old structures, earthwork and reconstruction etc. The work commenced on Nov. 3, 2021 and completed on June, 17, 2022.
Some of the major components of the project were rain water harvesting reservoir tank, barrier-free access to all section of the park for all including persons with disabilities, pay and use public toilet, public seating spaces, and commercial space of about 58 Sqft for revenue generation.
Considering the need for more open public spaces in and around the state capital, Kohima Smart City has taken the initiative to develop unused pocket spaces and existing parks in various colonies and wards in Kohima and transforming them into attractive public space and recreational areas for the citizens, particularly children and senior citizens.
However, due to scarcity of land and open spaces, the projects could not be implemented in many colonies, for which Kohima smart city needs the active supports and participations of the panchayat, stakeholders, NGOs and the citizens, said Theunuo.
On the NSF Martyrs’ Park, he said, it was done with quality as per the specifications, contract norms and agreement.
The redevelopment of this park will have a positive impact on the citizens of Kohima in general and NSF in particular, he said while expressing hope that it will be maintained well.
Giving a brief background of the park, NSF President Kegwayhun Tep said that on March 20, 1986, thousands of students extended solidarity to NSF’s call for protest against the extension of the Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) from the 5 km belt to 20 km along the Indo-Burma border and the introduction of the Indian Police Service cadre in Nagaland (which focused on inducting non-Nagas).
On that fateful day, Lt. Kekuojalie Sachu of Kohima village and Lt. Vikhozo Yhoshü of Kigwema village were killed in the indiscriminate firing on the peaceful agitating students by the armed police forces from Alichen.
"Our martyrs Lt. Kekuojalie Sachü and Lt. Vikhozo Yhoshü are the pride and honour of the Naga Students' Federation and we are gathered here in their remembrance and we express our gratitude and honour the sacrifices they made for the Nagas. Today, we offer our homage to the two noble souls, whose martyrdom has once again renewed our aspirations and our hopes with a strengthened sense of direction and purpose, towards a brighter tomorrow," he said.
The inaugural programme was followed by the release of the NSF 75th anniversary souvenir at Hotel Japfu, Kohima, by the minister.
Neingulo Krome, convenor of the souvenir committee, said that the souvenir was released at the end of the year to sum up the celebration of 75 years.