EMN
Dimapur, February 23
A joint team of the Rongmei Naga People’s Organisation (RNPO) and Rongmei Council of Nagaland undertook a five-day long tour to Manipur and interacted with various sections of people at Imphal and Tamenglong district from February 15.
The organization issued a note this week offering updates. The team also visited the picturesque Luangkao village, the birth place of freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu in Tamenglong on the next day. It is situated on the hilltop and takes about half an hour drive through the 10-km tortuous rutted road from National Highway below. On reaching the village, the team was accorded a very warm traditional welcome by the residents of Luangkao.
On February 17, Luangkao village and the team along with the rest of the country observed the 23rd Death Anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu. After a customary procession with singing in the morning, a rich floral tribute was paid at the graveyard of Rani Gaidinliu.
In the afternoon session, there was a public function adjacent to the old tin-roofed house where Rani Gaidinliu breathed her last. Important public figures from Assam, Nagaland and Manipur including ADC and Naga national leaders were present to observe the Death Anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu.
RNPO President G.Namgai in his presidential address focused on the importance of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of our forefathers who verbally passed down to their progeny.
Sharing his past stories and experiences with Rani Gaidinliu in Kohima, Namgai recalled the ‘precious’ words of Gaidinliu who once said, “’Our culture is our Identity’ and without which we are a lost people.”
Amongst other speakers, RCN President Chingkhiulung Gonmei also expressed dismay at the lackadaisical attitude and negligence of the Centre and concerned state government who despite 23 years of Gaidinliu’s death, left the birth place unattended without basic amenities and deliberately ignored development of rural roads in the area while residents continue to remain in abject poverty for long.
The visiting team and the village authority held a meeting and proposed to set up a development committee under RNPO who will take up the cudgels for the development of the areas through various initiatives.
The team also held a meeting at Noney to discuss on better co-ordination and communication amongst the members of concerned councils of Manipur, Assam and Nagaland for which another meeting has been scheduled to be held at Imphal on February 26. The team also visited the sites where railway tunnels are being constructed.
