In his message on Phom Day on 6th June 2020, the Deputy Commissioner, Longleng M. Shayung Phom called upon the citizens of Phom community to extend all physical, moral and material support to the frontline warriors; headed by the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Medical fraternity, Security, Civil Societies, Churches and all persons involved in fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis. He was speaking as Special Guest on 68th Phom Day at Phom Day site Police Headquarter, Longleng.
Maintaining that the first generation of modern Phoms stopped the head hunting practice while the next generations focus on literacy and tried to bring social changes like launching Literacy Campaign, Sanitation movement, Liquor Eradication crusade and revival movement spearheaded by church and Clean examination movement led by the students, the DC said that despite many challenges the immediate battle at the moment is the global COVID-19 pandemic. It will affect any one of us so let us all leave behind our cynicism and fight the virus united and determinedly, he added.
Shayung also appealed to appreciate the people who are in the quarantine centers because they are patiently confining in isolation for weeks together not because they are confirmed of infection but to stop community transmission in case they are infected by the virus. He also asserted that since we are facing Covid-19 for the first time, they may be many loopholes from many angles while handling COVID-19 but this is not intentional so the big watch word of this year’s Phom Day’ is to fight the Covid-19 with unified force, he stated. The DC also launched Phom Day video on YouTube entitled “Sharing Peace Within”
President of Phom Peoples Council (PPC) also spoke on the occasion. The program was chaired by A. Mane President PSC.
The 68th Phom Day was observed by the leaders of the Phom community in longleng amid lockdown by strictly maintaining the SOP of the Government on covid-19. Phom Day marks the end of head hunting era and the beginning of peace and harmony among the Phom community.
It may be mentioned that head hunting was the worst social evil practice of that time. So the government in cooperation with church and the community leaders of that time worked hard and decided to put an end to the cruel practice of head hunting. Consequently, they successfully stopped the practice of head hunting. They pledged on 6th June 1952 to be peaceful and to be loyal to the government. Since then the people of Phom observed Phom Day on 6th June annually till today. Phom Day gave new national identity by coming out of the village mindset to the level of tribe, state, nation and globally. Phom Day is a unique day that has broadened the mental horizon of the Phom community towards peace and development.
(Manjong, IA Longleng)
