During Tsüngremmung, Longsa urges for road repairs; Minister Aye promises support
Longsa Village, known for its historic association with the Ao Naga festival Tsüngremmung, celebrated the second day of the festival on Saturday, August 2, with renewed unity after four years of internal division.
“For four long years, Longsa Village had a deep rift and many attempts failed to reconcile us. But out of nowhere, Longsa decided to be united. Longsa is united today and it is because of our prayers,” said retired Chief Secretary Alemtemshi Jamir, addressing the gathering at Salang Lenden, Longsa Village.
He remarked that this year’s Tsüngremmung was “especially significant” due to the healing of the rift within the community.
Longsa Village is known for its enthusiastic celebration of Tsüngremmung. According to literature shared by the villagers at the event, the festival was first observed and celebrated by Longsa Village, and other Ao villages later followed suit. Therefore, the forefathers commonly referred to the festival as “Longsa Mung.”
It is also said that the festival was originally celebrated on different dates by various villages. However, in 1946, the then SDO under the British administration issued an order to observe the festival on the same dates, i.e., from August 1 to 3. Following the promulgation of this order, all Ao villages began celebrating the festival simultaneously.
Road representation submitted to Minister Kaito Aye
The celebration was graced by G Kaito Aye, Nagaland’s Minister for PWD (Roads & Bridges), marking his second visit to Longsa. During the event, the Longsa Village Council submitted a representation requesting the construction of an RCC bridge over the Dikhu River and blacktopping of the Longsa–Suruhoto–Aghunato road.
The council highlighted that the existing Bailey bridge over the Dikhu, built in the 1960s, is now in a dangerously dilapidated state. It serves as the primary link for Tuensang district and the Suruhoto and Aghunato ranges of Zunheboto district.
Responding to the representation, Minister Aye said the Longsa–Suruhoto–Aghunato road was the ‘brainchild’ of Alemtemshi Jamir and constructed using NEC funds. “However, NEC funding was limited, and I had to fill in the gaps from my own resources,” he stated.
Calling the route an “intermediate road,” Aye noted that the cost of a major upgradation was too high for the government to approve immediately. He assured that he would carry out certain repairs from his department’s limited resources in between Dikhu River to Longsa Village but called for community cooperation.
For a larger two-lane project, he said it would have to be brought under the National Highways and recommended sending a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for consideration. “We are a resource-deficit state and not in a position to release funds immediately,” he explained, urging the community for patience.
However, he assured that he will ensure that the grievances are heard by the Government of Nagaland in the highest level.
The Minister also acknowledged the participation of the Phom, Sangtam, and Sumi communities and called for greater unity. “Nagas have been divided for no reason because of the Naga Political Issue. It’s time we end this division,” he said.
Advisor for IPR, Soil & Water Conservation, Imkong L. Imchen, who was the Guest of Honour, said he would endorse Longsa’s demands to the government and urged his friend Minister Aye to expedite the matter.
Advisor for Minority Affairs and Sericulture, Imkongmar, who also attended, expressed appreciation to the people of the 25 Mongoya Assembly Constituency, which includes Longsa, for electing him. He commended the village for upholding the tradition of celebrating Tsüngremmung every year and encouraged constituents to approach him freely for any grievances.
Ao Senden President Marsanen Imsong reflected on the values of the forefathers who celebrated “Anempong” (rites) with sincerity even before Christianity. “Corruption in churches and society stems from within us. If we search for the origin of all wrongdoings, we will find that it lies within us,” he said, calling for personal integrity and transformation.
The celebration was organized by Longsa Village Council under the patronage of Tourism Department, Government of Nagaland.
