The Thang Students’ Union initiated the Laying of Monolith in commemoration of first arrival of the British at Thang (Noklak Village). The unveiling and dedicatory program of the monolith was held on Friday at Demphu Jinkhaiu, Noklak Village.

During the program, Buhiu B Lam, Secretary, Thang Heritage Research Committee, highlighted on the history of arrival of JP Mills in the land of Khiamniungan on 24 November 1936.  Mills was at the time serving as the deputy commissioner of Kohima when Nagaland was priorly known as Naga Hills, Lam informed.

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The day has two historic significances, Lam stated, the first is the coming of a British and the second being the beginning of determining calendar for the Thang people. “We are able to have the accurate time because it is all found recorded in the diary of JP Mills”, Lam said.

Photographs were also taken by Christoph Von Fürer Haimendorf, the man who accompanied Mills, he added.

Photographs of Noklak village taken by Christoph Von Fürer Haimendorf in 1936

It was also informed that the decision to proceed with the project was approved by the Thang Students’ Union Executive Session on 27th December 2022.

Read more: Thang Students’ Union, Noklak VC to commemorate arrival of white men in land of Khiamniungan

Lam also mentioned that he was fortunate to have come across Catriona Child, a British, with whom he shared about the plan of the commemoration when she was visiting Kohima with her mother who was a British Army Commandant during the Second World War, Lam said. Child then gladly informed that the daughter of JP Mills was in London and made it possible for Lam to contact Geraldine Hobson.

During the commemoration, Hobson, the daughter of JP Mills, extended her greetings to the people of Thang through a letter.

Panpan, Chairman, Noklak Village Council in his short speech stated that the day and the place have historic significance which marked the advent of the ‘New Age’ for the people of Thang.

Beshim, PA to DC (Rtd), appreciated the Thang Students’ Union for the initiative. He also briefed about the history of British encounter.

Earlier, the program was chaired by Chongkoi K, dedicatory prayer was pronounced by Langshen K Pastor, Baptist Church Thang, Special number was presented by Shongmo B and benediction was said by Pungon, Treasurer TSU.

Bashim (Top Left); Buhiu B Lam (Top Right); Shongmo B (Bottom left); Panpan (Bottom Right)