Ahead of the 70th Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) General Conference, scheduled from January 13 to 15, 2026, a press conference was held at Chungtia Village on January 10. The three-days conference to be held under the theme “Strengthening Horizons.”
A total of 1,700 delegates, along with invited dignitaries and guests, are expected to attend the conference. The main conference hall has a seating capacity of 2,200, while additional live telecast from LED screens will be installed and made for villagers and attendees unable to access the main venue. The proceedings will also be live streamed on the AKM YouTube channel.
Addressing the media, Tsuknungtemsu Longchar, President of Chungtia Students’ Union, said the entire Chungtia community, led by the Village Council, has been preparing for the conference for the past nine years, with intensive final preparations over the last six months. He stated that the conference is being hosted with the collective effort of the village, with more than 700 families coming forward to accommodate delegates across five colonies, including Sabangya Urban and Longtsuktep.
On transportation and logistics, Longchar informed that seven buses will be arranged for general delegates. Car passes and designated parking spaces will also be provided. To facilitate public participation, two LED screens will be installed outside the conference hall and another at the community hall, where proceedings will be live telecast for villagers who may not be able to attend the sessions at the main venue.
He appealed to delegates, invitees, and well-wishers to participate actively in the conference, adding that the organising committee remains committed to ensuring the smooth conduct and success of the event.
Speaking to the media persons, AKM President Lanutoshi Aier said the 70th General Conference will bring together student delegates, invitees, and dignitaries from across Nagaland. He announced that S. Supongmeren Jamir, MP, Lok Sabha and President, NPCC Nagaland, will attend as the inaugural guest, while Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio will grace the event as the chief guest. The valedictory session will be graced by T. N. Mannen, IAS (Retd), Advisor & MLA for Law & Justice and Land Revenue, Government of Nagaland.
Aier further informed that Metsübo Jamir, Minister for Rural Development & SIRD, and Temjenmenba, Advisor & MLA for Transport & Technical Education, will attend as guests of honour. Among the special invitees are Limasunep Jamir, IPS, Special Secretary (Home), Government of Nagaland, M. Imkongla Jamir, IAS, Resident Commissioner, Government of Karnataka, New Delhi, Mteisuding Heraang, President NSF, Nuheymong Yimkhiung, President ENSF, and Zuchobemo Jungio, President CNSA.
Highlighting the programme components, the AKM President said that along with panel discussions, the conference will feature a spelling bee competition in the Ao language, introduced with the objective of preserving and promoting the mother tongue among the younger generation, particularly in the context of rapid technological change. He also informed that a conference magazine featuring articles on various student-related and social issues will be released during the event.
The entire three-day programme will be live streamed on the AKM YouTube channel, enabling participation and viewing by those unable to attend the conference in person.
Responding to a media query on resolutions and agendas, Aier said a resolution committee comprising experts from various fields has been constituted and will present student-centric and practical resolutions during the conference. He noted that despite Nagaland’s high literacy rate, youth employability remains a concern, and discussions will focus on skill development, training opportunities, and creative and arts-based initiatives as possible channels for engagement and empowerment. He added that possible changes in the number of delegates and duration of future conferences may also be deliberated during the general sessions, subject to approval.
The organisers informed that the AKM Local Planning Committee consists of 42 members, supported by 18 sub-committees, coordinating various aspects of the conference.
It can be recalled that Chungtia Village has previously contributed to AKM leadership, with Tinumayang Longchar having served as AKM President in the 1990s, and Akummeren Longchar having served as Vice President.
About the Host Village: Chungtia
Chungtia Village, one of the oldest Ao Naga villages in Nagaland, stands as a living repository of indigenous history, spirituality, and community life. Located within the Ongpangkong Circle of Mokokchung district, the village is known for its strong cultural institutions and deep-rooted traditions that continue to shape everyday life.
With a population of 4,661 and a literacy rate of 86.12 percent, Chungtia reflects a balance between traditional values and modern educational progress. The village functions through a well-defined community structure, where cultural continuity and collective responsibility remain central.
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Chungtia is rich in indigenous spirituality and sacred geography, marked by several heritage sites that hold historical and cultural significance. Key heritage locations include Tüvlong, Yimpang Sungkum and Sungkum Api, Yimrongdong, Arijuma Tzütu, and the traditional Tongden (log drum), each representing different facets of Ao Naga social, spiritual, and communicative life.
Beyond its cultural heritage, Chungtia also offers opportunities for adventure and nature-based tourism. The village is known for paragliding routes with flights extending up to 4.3 kilometres, rock climbing cliffs rising up to 160 metres, and cliff-side footpaths that reflect both the terrain and traditional connectivity of the area. The Tüvlong viewpoint, offering a 360-degree panoramic view, provides a vantage point overlooking the surrounding landscape.
As host to the 70th Ao Students’ Conference, Chungtia Village brings together its historical legacy, community participation, and geographical setting to welcome delegates and visitors. The hosting of the conference reflects the village’s long-standing commitment to collective effort, cultural preservation, and community-led organisation.
Chungtia Village: What delegates can look forward to
Chungtia Village, the host of the 70th Ao Students’ Conference, is located under the Ongpangkong Circle in Mokokchung district and is recognised as one of the oldest Ao Naga villages in Nagaland. With a population of 4,661 and a literacy rate of 86.12 per cent, the village is known for its strong cultural institutions and deep-rooted traditions that continue to shape everyday life. The village functions through a well-defined community structure, where cultural continuity and collective responsibility remain central.
Chungtia’s landscape is closely linked with its sacred geography. Key heritage locations include Tüvlong, Yimpang Sungkum and Sungkum Api, Yimrongdong, Arijuma Tzütu, and the traditional Tongden (log drum), each representing different facets of Ao Naga social, spiritual, and communicative life.
Beyond its cultural heritage, Chungtia also offers opportunities for adventure and nature-based tourism. The village is known for paragliding routes with flights extending up to 4.3 kilometres, rock climbing cliffs rising up to 160 metres, and cliff-side footpaths that reflect both the terrain and traditional connectivity of the area. The Tüvlong viewpoint, offering a 360-degree panoramic view, provides a vantage point overlooking the surrounding landscape.
As host to the conference, the village offers delegates an opportunity to engage not only in conference proceedings but also with a place shaped by long-standing traditions, shared responsibility, and its distinctive geographical features.
