The Angami Public Organization (APO) organized a General Conference (Mechü Kehou) with Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio as the Special guest at the newly constructed Kohima Village Multipurpose building on 4th September 2026.
Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio in his address acknowledged all the elders, leaders and the public for continuing to work harmoniously and unitedly in different organization for the welfare of the people. He also acknowledged the APO leaders, their team and their subordinates for doing yeomen service in various areas. He said the state capital Kohima under the jurisdiction of Angami is a land of commercial site is a blessing for us which is slowly progressing economically. He therefore, appealed to the gathering that this blessing should be passed on to our future generation and pave the way for our youths to use it progressively. The CM also said that our forefathers were considered the first among tribes to bring pride and legacy with good leadership and good vision, stating that, ‘it is easy to follow others but hard to lead others with responsibilities’.
Dr. Rio mentioned that Naga’s identity was recognized long back when the Britishers invaded our country, but the Britishers didn’t wish to disturb the village norms or traditions, administration or customary law because of our good character, traits and uniqueness rather they strengthen and protected it by passing a law, the ‘Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873 which is a colonial-era law that created an imaginary boundary called the "Inner Line" to control access to tribals and frontier districts in Northeast India which is still continuing.
Stating that India is one of the largest democratic country in the world, he said Christianity in India is a minority. Therefore, he urged the Nagas to be unite and work together so that our Christian minority is not taunted. He also stressed that we have Nagas in other states including Manipur, Myanmar, Assam and Arunachal, where we are physically apart, but we are emotionally connected, socially and culturally integrated and therefore, the State motto ‘Unity” in the government logo calls for unity to all the Naga brothers living far and near. He further appealed the Nagas to live together with others without forgetting our identity. Dr. Rio also mentioned that Nagas has too many groups, factions and organizations creating havoc and confusion leading to mistrust in each other, he therefore urged to all the sections of Naga society, negotiating groups, and stakeholders to work together in a spirit of unity and oneness to achieve permanent peace.
Dr. Rio also highlighted on the issue of ILP, RIIS, and briefly shared on the FNTA bill passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly recently.
President, APO, Thejao Vihienuo who was also the Chairperson acknowledged all the Angamis for positively attending the conference. He stressed that the Angamis are blessed extraordinarily, and thanked God Almighty for the Good morals, values, knowledge, traditions and cultures which has passed down from generations till now.
He expressed that, one of the most important aspects of the Angami culture was the Mechü die (Resolution passed) in a meeting or conference. Irrespective of thoughts and other opinions, the Mechü die becomes a part of law and every Angamis have to follow it. He was of the view that this aspect of the culture is slowly declining among the youngsters and is becoming a threat, therefore he urged the young generations to follow their elders as well as the leader to teach their youths.
He also stressed on the term ‘Generations’ stating that the people born before 2000 as the Millennial generation, people born after 1997 to 2012 as GenZ, and 2012 and after as Gen Alpha. He mentioned that according to scholars’ Millennial generation are serving and leading the public as of today however, scholars have predicted that the GenZ will replace and lead the public after that. Citing the recent example of the Nepal, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Kenya and India, he said that the GenZ have awakened globally and already moving in to change the structure of the Government in their own respective places.
Therefore, he urged the Millennial generations to lead, serve, shape and mould our future generations by teaching them the good values, qualities, knowledge, culture and tradition which our ancestors has taught us, before GenZ step in and take the lead. He also said that, the Millennial generations was taught through local histories, social gatherings, story tellings and learning from elders. However, he was concerned that the GenZ, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta have a serious concern as they are mostly self-taught from AI, phones and other gadgets which might lead them in grave danger.
Therefore, he appealed all the Angamis irrespective of clans, khels or village to work together unanimously and strengthen our culture and tradition, our moral values to pass it to our future generations.
Earlier, Reports and Activities was shared by General Secretary, APO, Keneilesa Neikha, representatives from AWO, AYO, ASU, ASA and AGOK.
(Siizo Kikhi, IA)
