Dr Chotisuh Sazo addressing general meeting of Phüsachodümi village on January 24.
Our Correspondent
Kohima |, January 24
Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) former speaker Dr Chotisüh Sazo today urged the national workers to come together and unite based on “the original principles established by our forefathers.”
There are more than 30 groups at present, and a solution seems like a distant dream unless we unite together as one, Dr Sazo said while addressing the general meeting of Phüsachodümi village on January 24 at Dzuyicezou, Phüsachodü village under Phek district.
Dr Sazo stressed on the need to respect and preserve the customary values such as Künyi, Münga, and Müprü, “which have guided our people for generations.”
“Respect for elders and our culture is very important. We must know our culture and its values. If we do not know our culture or where we come from, then we will not know where we are going. Sadly, many of our cultural values are slowly diminishing, and it is our responsibility to protect and pass them on to the next generation,” Dr Sazo said.
Stating that our unity is the greatest strength, he said “We must stand united and help one another. Differences may arise during elections, but once elections are over, we must work together for the welfare and progress of our community.”
He stressed on the need to preserve and protect the natural resources- flora and fauna.
“Our village started restricting hunting as early as 2005–06. There was a time when we could not even hear the chirping of the smallest birds. Today, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Village Council and Youth Society for the enforcement of total ban on hunting. As a result, after nearly 20 years, many birds and wild animals have returned and multiplied. This shows the positive result of our collective effort. We must continue to enforce these restrictions,” Dr Sazo said.
Stating that the public water sources are depleting, he said that there is an urgent need for tree plantation in and around these water sources.
“We must not sell our traditional village land to outsiders. We have already lost vast areas of land to outsiders. Our population is increasing, but our land is not. Therefore, we must strictly restrict the sale of our land to outsiders,” Dr Sazo said.
Touching on Population Census 2027, he informed that census enumeration will be conducted in February 2027 and completed by 1st March 2027.
Digital house listing will begin from this year. “Delimitation is also likely to be done based on this census,” he said and requested all GBs to take proper care of census activities in their respective khels.
He called upon the teachers and government servants to give their utmost attention to census enrolment, ensuring a thorough and accurate enumeration for the benefit of our entire community.
Dr Sazo also encouraged everyone to take up farming projects, be it in Fruit Farming, Bee Keeping, Livestock Rearing, etc.
Stressing on the need to compete with the competitive world and also to look for avenues in business, he said “Let us increase our working hours. Many people depend on politicians for their livelihood but that alone may not be sustainable for a reliable future.”
He urged upon the villagers to respect “our community resolutions and to follow government laws, especially those concerning liquor prohibition, livestock import, hunting restriction, and the protection of endangered species.”
These rules are not meant to restrict us but to protect our people, our land and its resources and our future,” he said. Let us move forward together with unity, responsibility, and faith in God, he added.
Shetsuyi Ruho, Cefuzu Churhah, Vekhosa Kotso, IPS, DIGP, Kohima and Cekrotso Chuzho, secretary VDB also spoke at the programme. Representatives of Phüsachodümi Unions from Kohima, Pfutsero, Phek and Dimapur also attended the meeting. The programme was chaired by Veduruh Vero while welcome address was delivered by Velapa Theluo, chairman, Phüsachodümi Village Council.
Later, village resolutions and year plans were discussed and approved in the meeting.
