For the first time, Ao officers from Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur zones, along with colleagues from other districts and places, gathered under one roof at the Mokokchung Town Hall on September 13, 2025 under the theme “Kü Lima, Kü Khu”. They came not to exchange titles, but to explore what they could build together.
The first edition of the Ao Officers’ Telungjem Senden took place at a time when the Ao community is often perceived to be lagging behind other communities due to disunity within the community.
Asangla Imti, IAS and Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, called out what she described as the most damaging trait among the Aos – the mindset of “my range, your range” and “your clan, my clan.” Such divisive thinking, she said, has long been a deterrent to unity. “This gathering,” she added, “is like laying a foundation towards unity.”
Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS and Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, echoed the sentiment. “This unity we see today has been possible only after many attempts,” he said. “It was only our community that did not have a united Officers’ Telungjem to represent the Aos in front of the government,” he recalled.
He urged Ao officers to rise above comfort and complacency, pointing out that many government servants “are laid back because their salary is packaged, guaranteed and privileged.” The new forum, he said, must work towards solutions to the socio-economic and political problems facing society. “These are the expectations people have of us,” he added, “and we must meet them.”
What emerged at the inaugural Telungjem was the sense that a scattered community was beginning to knit itself into a network.
Asangba Chuba Ao, IAS and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, pointed out that more than a hundred Ao officers are currently serving outside Nagaland – including around 21 who cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations, about 40 in major public sector undertakings like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Geological Survey of India (GSI), around 15 in defense and sports, and another 25 across the central police forces, administration, medical, and taxation departments.
Despite their achievements, many officers remain unconnected. Asangba suggested creating a virtual platform to bridge this gap. “What has brought us together to Mokokchung? We already know the situation we are in – so, what can we do?” he asked, challenging his peers to turn this gathering into a starting point.
He warned that while technology is accelerating change everywhere, progress in Nagaland remains slow. “It is more about our mindset – willing to learn, unlearn and relearn, and embracing change instead of fearing it,” he said. Citing Nepal as an example of what happens when leaders fail to adapt, he asked pointedly: “Will we just remain mute spectators, or will we find a way?”
Asangba noted that Arunachal Pradesh already has four operational airports and planning for two more while Nagaland has yet to match those, and that this lag is also evident closer to home in Mokokchung. “Nagaland is lagging behind, and this is further followed by home,” he said, adding, “We need a collective effort to shape our future.”
That sense of urgency was echoed by civil society leaders, who placed clear expectations before the new forum. Marsanen Imsong, President of Ao Senden, said there are around 1,400 gazetted Ao officers altogether in and outside Nagaland. He revealed that the Ao Senden has submitted two proposals for consideration: To make Ao officers associate members of Ao Riju, an initiative working to preserve the Ao language, and to create an Ao Officers’ Telungjem trust to fund free Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) coaching.
Marsanen also raised concern over rising unemployment, warning that Ao youths are among the highest in unemployment and that this could trigger wider social issues if left unaddressed. He noted a troubling trend of people migrating out of Mokokchung in search of better healthcare and education. “The biggest issue in Mokokchung is never-ending government projects – often completed only when civil society groups intervene, and even then with poor quality,” he said. “From here on, development in Mokokchung must end with quality and on time.”
Tianaro Jamir, President of Watsü Mungdang, voiced similar concerns about migration and questioned what could be done for the unemployed youths who remain at home and are unable to migrate elsewhere.
Marsanen stressed that Mokokchung’s people must no longer have to travel outside the district for treatment or basic services. “Such issues must be looked after systematically,” he said, adding that this responsibility should now be shared by the emerging network of Ao officers.
Tongpang Ozukum, Advisor and MLA, echoed the calls of the Ao Senden and urged concrete support for both the Ao Riju language initiative and the proposed coaching institution for competitive examinations. He cautioned against the long-standing divisions over the Mongsen and Chungli dialects, saying the community must rise above such differences to strengthen the Ao language as one.
Nuklutoshi, also an Advisor and MLA, struck a candid note: “We keep talking about unity, but the more we discuss it, the more disunited we become.” Calling the day “a day to uplift the community from the dark days of disunity,” he urged support for an airport and railway station at Tuli to better connect the region.
Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, described the event as a “historic red-letter day,” though he openly regretted that it had to be held in the “poor infrastructure” of the Mokokchung Town Hall. He assured that the venue’s long-neglected infrastructure would be looked into, admitting, “I am sorry it took some time because the state government and the Mokokchung Municipal Council had other priorities.”
Reflecting on the theme of the day, “Kü Lima, Kü Khu,” Sharingain said it spoke to a personal ethic: “It means the fundamental essence should be – me, my responsibility, my job towards my people, my job to serve.” Pioneers, he said, must carry “fire in us to serve our people without any prejudice within our own people.” Serving without prejudice, he added, “should be our fundamental essence” and called for creation of a new narrative and story.
“Let us create a narrative of hope, resilience and resurgence,” he urged, challenging the officers to ask: “What can this conference do for a developed Mokokchung as we target Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Nagaland 2047?”
Concluding the day’s discussions, the AOT formally adopted resolutions to chart its way forward. The Union resolved to establish a “Glocal Centre of Excellence” dedicated to promoting life values, knowledge, and skill development rooted in Ao culture, faith, and history. The AOT resolved to cooperate, collaborate, and coordinate efforts for the holistic development of Ao Riju, and shall actively participate in the Viksit Bharat 2047 – Developed Mokokchung initiative.
Earlier in the day, Dr Sentitula, IFS, DFO, Mokokchung explained the meaning behind the theme which was adopted by the gathering.
