Nagaland Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, addressing the civic reception in his honour during the Moatsü festival in Mokokchung, announced an allocation of Rs. 10 crore for the upgradation of the Mokokchung District Public Ground infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also updated on the pending issues regarding the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and ceasefire in Eastern Nagaland. He said the state government had already held a Cabinet meeting on the matter and is awaiting a response from the Centre. Rio added that he plans to meet the Union Minister to pursue the issue further.
Speaking to media persons, when asked whether the proposal for the upgradation of NH 702D (commonly known as Mariani Road) has been approved by the Centre, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio responded that the proposal is currently under process. He added that due to the considerable length of the road, the project will be divided into sections. Regarding the development of the Tuli railway station, the Chief Minister stated, “We are working on it.”
While addressing the Moatsü celebration, CM stressed on the need for unity among Naga tribes, the importance of preserving customary laws, and called for rationalisation of tribal organisations to avoid administrative confusion.
Addressing the gathering, CM Rio expressed deep gratitude to the Ao community for the warm reception accorded to him by the six regions of Mokokchung district. “My beloved Ao community—from the oldest to the youngest—I’m humbled and touched by the love, honour and respect shown to me,” he said. “Whatever I have achieved in life is by the grace of God and through the support of people like you.”
Highlighting the significance of the Moatsü festival, Rio said it is a time of sowing, hard labour, and celebration, deeply rooted in the Ao people’s tradition of seeking divine blessings for a bountiful harvest. He praised the display of cultural songs, dances, and traditional attire that keep alive the proud legacy of the forefathers, stating, “Though we have become Christians, we remember the best of our ancestors.”
Rio underscored the value of Naga customary laws, calling them a “savage wisdom” once recognized and respected even by British colonial administrators. He recalled the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, introduced to protect hill tribals, which later evolved into the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. He noted that Nagas continue to enjoy this protection through Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution.
He encouraged citizens to respect the authority of Gaonburas and Dobashis who continue to deliver grassroots justice through customary courts, which he said are quick, cost-effective, and rooted in community values. “Even the government of India recognised our unique identity. We must continue to promote and protect our customary practices, our identity, and our history,” he said.
Rio, who once served as an Area Council Chairman, affirmed the importance of resolving disputes through the Village and Tribal Council system. He noted that the amended Village Council Act 2022 further strengthens the role of these local governance structures.
The Chief Minister also addressed challenges faced due to the proliferation of tribal organisations. “Too many organisations create too many heads and too many taxes,” he cautioned, suggesting the need for consolidation and streamlined representation. He further emphasized that in a democracy, everyone has the right to speech, but it must be exercised through the right platforms and responsible leadership.
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Ceasefire and Development Updates
Touching on issues in Eastern Nagaland, CM Rio informed that a Cabinet meeting had been held to discuss matters relating to the ceasefire and the Free Movement Regime (FMR). He said the state is awaiting a response from the Government of India and that he plans to meet the Union Minister to follow up on the matter.
Talking about the developmental aspect in Mokokchung district, Rio said the government is focusing on upgrading the public ground infrastructure in Mokokchung district, including improvements to the ground, gallery, rostrum facilities and more.
The Chief Minister extended warm Moatsü greetings to all, noting that the Ao community has always been at the forefront in education, religion, and the growth of the Naga people. “Aos have always been pioneers, and many tribes look up to you,” he said. “Let this festival renew friendships, foster forgiveness, and strengthen the bond of unity among our people.”
Metsubo Jamir, Minister, Rural Development & SIRD Govt. of Nagaland extended Moatsü greetings to all the dignitaries and thanked the C.M, Deputy C.M and all the tribal leaders for gracing the occasion with their presence. He praised the C.M for giving his time and attention for reviving our culture and traditions in our state. He also thanked all the other tribals from the state for coming to celebrate the Moatsu and bestow their blessings on the Ao community. He further extended warm greetings and blessings from the Ao community as well. He elucidated that Ao community has blessings in giving thanks and in being thankful we receive blessings. He asked the community not to forget to give further thanks to God for all the blessings he bestowed upon the Ao community for the past one year and to live our lives in such a way to uplift Him so that more blessings will be showered upon the community as a whole. He further shared the blessings to whoever has come to celebrate the festival and he encouraged everyone to share the same blessings wherever they go. He hoped that the same blessings will be showered upon all the Ao community in general.
The blessings in the community are not only the products from agriculture and so on but we should also count the blessings of sons and daughters of the upcoming generation, good leaders, government servants and countless other achievers. He also said that we think that we have less achievers since our population is large but, in every nook, and corner of the world in general, we have countless good leaders to lead the people which is also a blessing. He further said that we are also blessed with a beautiful landscape, scenery and a peaceful environment. We should not count only our rich resources, wealth, fruits and vegetables, etc as a blessing but it should be also counted in terms of health, brotherhood, kindness, understanding and achievements by our children in different categories. So, he stressed that if we give more thanks to God, we will receive more blessings in return. Lastly, he also prayed that more blessings will be upon the Ao community.
Imkong L. Imchen, Advisor for IPR and Soil & Water Conservation, Government of Nagaland, in his greetings message, described Moatsü as one of the most significant festivals of the Ao community. Addressing Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Imchen stated that until now, he had not known of any previous instance where the Ao community held a civic reception in honour of the Chief Minister. He expressed appreciation for Rio’s acceptance of the reception during the time of the Moatsü festival, acknowledging it as a meaningful gesture. Reflecting on the festival’s legacy, Imchen remarked that since the inception of the Ao tribe, the Moatsü festival has always been celebrated, and it varied from village to village and range to range. He concluded by highlighting the cultural and traditional importance of the festival to the Ao people.
In his greeting address, the President of Tenyimi Union Nagaland highlighted the festival as a celebration of brotherhood and roots, appreciating the theme and acknowledging Mokokchung as the “land of pioneers,” a title rightly given by the Chief Minister. He paid tribute to distinguished pioneers from Mokokchung, including T. Aliba Imti, the first NNC president who worked for both the Naga national movement and student unity; Longri Ao, a revered Christian servant of God; and P. Shilu Ao, the first Chief Minister of Nagaland who significantly contributed to the state’s development. On behalf of the Tenyimi community, he saluted all Naga leaders—both named and unnamed—who sacrificed and contributed for the cause and welfare of the Naga people.
Expressing concern over the current disunity among Nagas, he appealed to the younger generation, particularly the Ao community, to carry forward the vision of unity and service upheld by their forefathers. He emphasized the importance of forming an apex civil body to represent all Nagas and urged tribal leaders to work towards this goal. As a practical step towards reducing tribalism, he suggested promoting inter-tribal marriage to strengthen social bonds, sharing how marriages between Ao women and Chakhesang men have positively impacted their community. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ao Senden for the invitation, assuring that the Tenyimi community is committed to lasting friendship and cooperation, and affirmed mutual support and hospitality between both communities. He concluded with a prayer for God’s blessings upon the festival and a hopeful message that future collaborations would be in unity for the greater good of the Naga people.
Marsanen Imsong, President Ao Senden delivered the welcome address, Class of Music Mokokchung presenting a special song, Watsü Mungdang performed “Elangtsür Ken”,
Tzürangkong Senso Mungdang performed “Folk dance”. The Tug of War final match was played between Sungkomen and Salangtem ward won by Salangtem ward received Live pig weighing 120kg ( First Prize) Salangtem ward and Live pig weighing 100 kg ( Second prize) Sungkomen ward. Moatsü Cultural Dance Medley Presented by all the six ranges of the Ao region.
