Chakhroma Public Organisation marks its 150 years of formation of the organization on 9th November, 2024 at Chumoukedima Local Ground. On the occasion, Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the CPO’s Sesquicentennial Monoliths and released the Souvenir. The CPO marked the anniversary based on written records from a British official Alexandra Mackenzie, who noted the group's existence in 1874. The CPO originally was made of 17 villages but today they have 44 established villages across the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Rio said that people of Chakhroma had always been magnanimous allowing all tribes and communities of the State to settle in their area and live together in harmony, and suggested that they continue to be generous even in future. He said that CPO could be the oldest social organizations in the State which found mention in the reports of British officer Captain Butler in 1874 as Chakhroma Group.
Rio pointed that, it was through the magnanimity and foresight of the pioneers of Chakhroma leaders that other Angami villagers and Naga communities settled in Chakhroma area and today we are enjoying the benefits of this foresight of the past leaders, and appealed to the present generation to continue to welcome everyone into their area. He also requested all leaders who have received the Souvenir of the day should read and spread the information to the younger generation. The records that have been printed in the book are from the records of the British and not from our oral or verbal history, and should realise how blessed they are to find their history in the writings of others, he said.
Recalling how he, as Chief Minister, had decided to shift the earlier site of District HQ to the present area, he said District headquarters should be spacious and have room for future development and expansion. Chumoukedima district is indeed blessed because all communities live together in perfect harmony and we also have good connectivity such as Rail heads at Shukhovi and Molvom and Airport; good health care facilities such as CISHR and good educational facilities like NIT, ICFAI University, St Joseph University, Global Open University, North East Christian University etc, he said.
Further, he stressed that our forefathers had worked tirelessly to propagate the spirit of oneness of the Nagas family, and we all should continue to further nurture that spirit. Rio recalled how the British Administrative headquarter was shifted from Asaloo to Chumoukedima in the year 1860s and how as early as 1873 the British Parliament passed the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act to protect our culture, traditions and ways of life from being engulfed by the majority population of the mainland.
From 1978, Tribal Belt was declared in the entire district of Dimapur to protect our land and culture, and it is the duty of the Village Council Chairmen, GBs and tribal organizations to work hand in hand with the Government to ensure that the noble aims of the Government are fulfilled, Rio said.
The Chief Minister also disclosed that to ensure that the future generations remember their roots and history he has been in touch with the Chumoukedima Village Council to establish a state-of-the-art Playground named Samagooting adjacent to the DC office Compound, Chumoukedima.
In conclusion, Rio mentioned that the British chroniclers pronounced/spelled Chumoukedima as Samagooting in most of their reports and books, and it was their Administrative headquarter from 1866 till the later part of 1878 when the HQ was shifted to Kohima located in the middle of Angami country.
Addressing the gathering, Advisor, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Zhaleo Rio who is also a bonafide member of CPO, extended his greetings and welcome tribal councils, Hoho's, leaders, GBs for attending to show their solidarity with CPO on the occasion. He said that every tribe, community, every section of people has a history and based on British era historical truth and documentary evidence CPO was formed in 1873.
He mentioned that with the establishment of more villages and growth of population, parents and leaders need to maintain a record of our forefathers’ roots for the present and future generations and tell stories. In the present context, Nagas are sharply divided with unresolved issues but at the end Nagas are one family and one brotherhood. Nagas have a rich heritage and rich natural resources but in the absence of exploration and exploitation remain one of the poorest states in India.
He asserted that differences will be there in every section of a society but one must remember that our problem is one and hence the solution should be one. He appealed to the Nagas to live united, maintain peace, social harmony and economic growth to achieve common goals. He further urged all the stakeholders, organisation, Hoho's, unions and leaders to come together to bring a solution, to reason together for one common solution and one common goal and be worthy of our organisation.
In her short address, Advisor, Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu Kense congratulate the CPO for achieving 150 years of milestone She said that on reaching such a huge milestone, it's a day to ponder on the blessings and start a beautiful next chapter in their lives- A Day to strengthen a relationship with God, with people around and with one another. She also quoted the word from the Bible Leviticus, where God commanded the Israelites to restore and renew their lives, build relationships with God, relationship to other people and to each other. She hoped that this blessing will continue and will be inherited by our future children, and wished the CPO a grand celebration and blessings.
Thejao Vihienuo President of Angami Public Organisation; Kheto Zhimomi President of Western Sümi Hoho, A. Ernest Sephe President of Zeme Council, Kenilo Rengma President of Rengma Naga Peoples' Council and Chabi Kumar Mech President of Kachari Tribal Council delivered their speeches and greetings on the occasion.
Special numbers were presented by Medziphema Village Youth Organization and cultural items by Chumoukedima circle CPO.
(Tovikali,IA, Chumoukedima)
