Ukhrul: The Naga Army chief, Longvibu Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, has called the Nagas to remain steadfast and stand firm with the Naga national principle which is the covenant of God and urged the people to rekindle their spirit in achieving their common aspiration.
General Ningkhan Shimray stated this during the monolith erection in honour of former NSCN, GPRN Kilonser Late Col. (Retd.) AS Ngaranmi at his native place Ayotang, Ringui village under Ukhrul district, about 50 km from Imphal.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, Naga national workers, representatives from Naga Civil organisations; United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur, (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Zingtun Katamnao Long, Tangkhul Wungva Long, Headman from neighbouring villages, village elders and leaders from different social and religious organisations.
According to AC Thotso, secretary of the working committee of the United Naga Council (UNC), the event was marked by the historic and maiden visitation of General Ningkhan Shimray, MC, VC at Ringui village and the unveiling of the memorial monolith of Late Col. (Retd.) AS Ngaranmi, which stands as a testament to our recommitment to the struggle for Naga freedom, defending our rights, dignity, and ancestral homeland.
In his address, the NSCN-IM leader strongly exhorts the congregation not to forget the spirit of nationalism. He states that we must live on the legacy of our past leaders and rekindle the spirit to forge ahead to achieve our common aspiration.
The Longvibu further offered his deep honour and revolutionary salute to the Late. Col. (Retd.) AS. Ngaranmi acknowledged the sacrifices and devoted services to the Naga people rendered by the late Col and expressed his love and respect to the family of the late Ngaranmi.
He further expresses his deep appreciation and due recognition of the contributions and sacrifices made by the villagers and the national workers from the village who have been leading the movement at the forefront during the early stage of the Naga struggle.
“Every single national worker from Ringui village is the seed corn of the Naga national movement and they have sacrificed and honoured the principle of our Naga nation. Your contribution towards the Naga’s struggle has been highly appreciated and acknowledged from the NSCN-IM leaderships led by Th Muivah,” said Shimray.
“Many leaders have sacrificed their lives for the Naga freedom struggle and under that foundation laid by them; we have made a covenant to God that we will be faithful and truthful until we achieve our common goal and aspiration,” he added.
General Ningkhan Shimray further appreciated the intrinsic talents and potentials of the village that have been instrumental in popularising the Naga national movement through motion films and entertainment.
It may be noted that Ringui village, which is predominantly inhabited by the Tangkhul Nagas, holds importance in the history of Naga Struggles for freedom, that the infamous Shillong Accord 1975 was condemned officially for the first time by the Wung Tangkhul Region at Ringui Hongrei (forest) under the chairmanship of Major (Retd) As Ngathingkhui and RH Raising as the sessional secretary and served as a host to Naga armies in various camps in and around the village during the most horrific and crucial period in the movement.
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