The occasion of the 25th anniversary celebration of Rüna Khrietho-Maong Aksü, at Ungma village, Mokokchung witnessed a historic moment on May 2.
Chief host and NLA Speaker, Sharingain Longkumer made the announcement as requested by the Kosasanger Pusu Menden (Kosasanger generation) of Ungma Village: “Consequent upon the historic unanimous decision and acceptance of the Ungma Declaration, initiated by the Forum of Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and in answering the clarion call of our Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and his predecessors before him for Naga unity, the Ungma Kosasanger Pusu Menden unanimously decided to willfully donate three parcels of ancestral land to the apex organizations, namely the Tenyimi Union Nagaland, the Central Nagaland Tribal Council, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization. The clear intent and objective of this willful donation of ancestral land is to strengthen and foster the spirit of oneness and brotherhood amongst our Naga people.”
A brief land gift handing ceremony was conducted by legal counselor, Advocate Toshi O Longkumer.
Advocate Toshi O Longkumer said, “It is an act of profound generosity and a very important symbolic gesture for unity that the three landowners of Ungma village has decided to gift away a plot of land each to three public organisations who are working in pursuit of public cause for the people of Nagaland.”
The occasion witnessed the formal handing over of the Letter of Gift by the landowners and donors to the three public organisations. The ceremony was overseen by Sharingain Longkumer, while the Chairman of Ungma Village Council, as the statutory head of the village, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio acted as chief facilitators in the handing over process, in the presence of SC Jamir and representatives of the landowners.
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Sentirongba Tampo Semchir Mekumpong donated a plot of land to the Eastern Naga Public Organization (ENPO), Shikiyangba Tanubo Semchir Tzuwar donated land to the Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN) and Lanusuwa Tambu Semchir Tzuwar donated land to the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC). Each organisation was gifted a plot measuring 100 ft by 100 ft free of cost. The land is located at Renpukong, Ungma village, Mokokchung District of Nagaland.
Along with the Letter of Gift, a legal document was also prepared and signed to formalise and reaffirm the assurance of the land donation to the three apex organisations. Following the formal programme, the legal document relating to the land agreement was signed by representatives of the concerned organisations, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, SC Jamir, and Sharingain Longkumer signing as eminent signatories to the document.
Advocate Toshi O Longkumer said that in an age where land is often reduced to a commodity, the people of Ungma, led by the Kosasanger Pusu Menden, chose to treat land as a heritage of unity. Thanking the organisations representing the aspirations and hopes of the Naga people for accepting the gift as a sacred trust, he said the occasion sent a message across Nagaland and beyond that land can be given, not just taken, and can serve the purpose of unity, integration, and peace.
He stated that the event was not a transaction, but a testament of trust among the Tenyimis, Eastern Nagas, and Central Nagas, and that ancestral land held sacred for generations could be given away for a larger good. He said the highest use of land is not profit, but purpose, and expressed hope that the act would inspire villages, organisations, and citizens to ask not what they can take, but what they can keep for the unity and prosperity of Nagaland, adding, “Today, for us, we have done it. What about the rest of you?”
