Nagas rise to the Lui-Ngai-Ni spirit

IMPHAL, Feb 15 : The seed sowing festival of the Naga people, Lui-Ngai-Ni, was celebrated with pomp and gaiety today in different parts of the State. Celebrated under the theme ‘Culture of Peace’ Lui-Ngai-Ni was celebrated at the Maha Union Government High School ground at Chandel district today. Cultural dances and songs were presented by the different tribes of the Naga family at Chandel, which enthralled the gathering. Troupes representing Chothe, Tarao, Anal, Moyon, Lamkang, Monsang and Maring presented their respective cultural items during the festival at Chandel. Tengnoupal AC MLA Morung W Makunga, ADC of Chandel Lunminthang Haokip and SDO of Chandel Jacintha Lazarus graced the function as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively. Former Minister DK Korungthang, ADC of Moreh Th Hopeson Chothe, Major Prem of 20 Assam Rifles, CO of 8 MR IK Muivah, Principal of United College Th Oliver were the special guests. The celebration kicked off with Makunga lighting the inaugural lamp with Advisor of the UNC giving the welcome address. Cultural dances and songs followed later. The festival was also held at the headquarters Tameng-long, Ukhrul and Senapati districtsAt Ukhrul the festival was held at the Tangkhul Naga Long ground. Addressing the gathering at Ukhrul, S Milan, speaker of United Naga Council (UNC), said the Centre-NSCN ceasefire should be extended in all Naga areas of the country as the Nagas have their rights to live together under one single administrative entity.Ukhrul was in the news recently following the stand off between the NSCN (IM) and the Assam Rifles over the location of a camp at Siroy village.When Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Chhattisgarh have been carved out as new States within India why can’t the Nagas carve out their own land, Milan said adding that other communities should respect and appreciate the Nagas cause.At Senapati , the festival was celebrated by five Naga tribes living in the district including Mao, Paomai, Zeliangrong, Maram and Thangal.“We celebrated the festival in high spirit and enthusiasm. Besides staging cultural dances and songs, a fire extraction competition was held amongst the five communities,” said Souni Khapa, vice president of the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur ( Ansam).At Tamenglong district the festival was also celebrated with gusto with people from neighbouring Nagaland turning up for the festivities.