2nd Naga Morung held in Chandel: Nagas Pledge to Rise as One to Protect Ancestral Lands

Chandel, Mar 28, 2025: Thousands of Nagas from Nagaland and Manipur gathered for the 2nd edition of the Naga Morung, held on Friday at Liwa Sarei village ground in Chandel district, and pledged to rise as one to protect the ancestral lands of the Nagas. The gathering also vowed to resist and fight against all forces that seek to divide the Nagas and their land.

Organized by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and hosted by the Naga Students’ Union Chandel (NSUC) and its constituent units, the event saw the presence of various Naga leaders, including Dr. Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of NPMHR, and Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu, a senior social activist, who also served as resource persons for the day.

Addressing the first session on the topic “Nagas Yesterday – The Odyssey; Nagas Today – The Crossroad,” Dr. Neingulo Krome spoke about the struggles of the Naga elders in the early days. He highlighted that, in order to fulfill the aspirations of the Nagas to live under one administrative umbrella, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had passed multiple resolutions in the past for the integration of Naga-inhabited areas.

He emphasized that the desire of the Nagas to live together under one administrative umbrella should neither be undermined nor compromised.

Dr. Krome also noted that, in recent years, Manipur has experienced demographic upheaval, resulting in violence, loss of lives, and the displacement of thousands. He stressed that it is no longer possible to continue living under such circumstances and that the people must find a way to restore peace.

During the second session, Prof. Rosemary Dzuvichu spoke on “Nagas Tomorrow – The Vision” and asserted that the real hope for the Nagas lies in the younger generations and young leaders. She pointed out that while the Naga society respects and reveres its elders, this often leads to overlooking the hidden wisdom within the youth. If the Nagas are to move toward the future with a clear vision, she said, it must come from young leaders.

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Emphasizing the importance of youth leadership, Prof. Dzuvichu reiterated that the future of the Nagas depends on the younger generation taking the movement forward.

Earlier in the program, NSUC president Ruwnglar Elly Anal, as the event’s host, welcomed the delegates and expressed gratitude to the NSF for organizing the 2nd Naga Morung in Chandel district.

Elly highlighted Chandel’s strategic importance, noting that Naga elders in the past had fought, defended, and even laid down their lives to protect it. He stated that the district is once again facing challenges, such as border fencing, but emphasized that it is time to rise and resist. “We would rather die standing than live on our knees,” the NSUC president declared.

As part of the event, various leaders, including NSF president Medovi Rhi, addressed the gathering and urged the Nagas to take a stand.

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Under the leadership of the NSF, student leaders and the public took a pledge, declaring: “The Naga ancestral lands and peoplehood recognize no artificial boundaries or divisions. Together, we vow to protect our God-given rights against all forces that seek to divide our land and people.”

They further pledged: “To uphold our right to self-determination for a unified land and the glory of the Nagas.”

With this pledge, the Nagas committed themselves to “rising together as one Naga, rooted in our history, steadfast in our present, and indomitable in our pursuit of justice and dignity.”