Call for peace echoes at Lui-Ngai-Ni Fest
Source: The Sangai Express

Tamenglong, February 15 2024: Amidst the raging conflict in Manipur, State level Lui-Ngai-Ni festival 2024 was celebrated in Tamenglong district headquarters at Apollo Ground on Thursday.

It was organised by State Level Organising Committee of Lui-Ngai-Ni, under the aegis of United Naga Council and was hosted by Joint Tribes Council (JTC) of Zeme, Liangmai, Ronamei and Inpui tribes.

Lui-Ngai-Ni is a Naga seed-sowing festival and is celebrated on February 15 every year.

This day is officially recognised and declared a State holiday by the Government in 1988 and the Ministry of Tourism listed Lui-Ngai-Ni as one of the tourist festivals of India in 1997 .

Call for peace echoes at Lui-Ngai-Ni Fest

The event was attended by Water Resources and Relief & Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai as chief guest while Lok Sabha MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze, attended as principal guest.

Mao AC MLA Losii Dikho and Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, were the honoured guests and Tamenglong AC MLA Janghemlung Panmei was the chief host of the celebration.

Phungyar AC MLA Leishiyo Keishing and Karong AC MLA J Kumo Sha were also special guests of the celebration.

District bureaucrats including CEO of Tamenglong Autonomous District Council Kachamthai Faiga Gangmei, Tamenglong SP Luikham, Tamenglong, SDO, Tousem SDO also attended.

Leaders of Naga apex bodies like ANSAM, NWUM and other federating units of the same also attended the events as festival guests.

Awangbow Newmai in his speech gave a clarion call for peace in the State, which has been reeling under an intense conflict between Meiteis and Kukis for over nine months now.

Taking a strong stand, Awangbow pointed out that peace only starts from each 'one of us and that one should start the initiative for peace in our own level.' He urged the Nagas to do their part in restoring peace in the State instead of remaining a silent spectator.

He also mentioned that playing the blame game and pointing finger at others is not bringing any solution and long-lasting peace.

United Naga Council president Ng Lorho also asserted that Nagas have remained a neutral entity despite provocations, disturbances and sporadic incidents by both the warring communities.

"However if our peaceful nature should be taken for weakness, and if such violence, provocations and attacks continue it may attract retaliations from the Nagas.

Therefore, we appeal to all concerned to shun violence and give peace a chance." he said.

Lorho also noted that Nagas on this day of Lui-Ngai-Ni should reaffirm their stand and commitment to the cause of Naga Nation and face any challenges.

He also urged the Central Government to give substance to the Framework Agreement with the NSCN in letter and in spirit as early as possible.

The State level Lui-Ngai-Ni celebration was participated by as many as 18 Naga tribes from Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong.