Ukhrul: Monolith Erected Honoring Former NSCN Kilonser Late Col. (Retd.) AS Ngaranmi

Imphal, Mar 11: The monolith erection ceremony in honour of Late Col. (Retd.) AS. Ngaranmi, former kilonser of NSCN-IM, was held on March 10, 2025, at Ayotang, Ringui village in Ukhrul district. It was attended by a host of dignitaries, Naga national workers, representatives from Naga civil organisations, United Naga Council(UNC), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur, (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Zingtun Katamnao Long, Tangkhul Wungva Long, headmen from neighbouring villages, village elders and leaders from different social and religious organisations.

The ceremony was enriched by the presence of Gen. Ningkhan Shimray, MC, VC Longvibu (chief of the army staff), Naga Army, NSCN-IM as the chief guest,  Mj. Gen. (Retd.) RVS. Shangam, MC Steering Executive Member of NSCN-IM as the guest of honor and Mj. Gen. (Retd.) RS. Chinaoyo, MM, MC Steering Executive Member of NSCN-IM as a special guest. The event was marked by the historic and maiden visitation of the Gen. Ningkhan Shimray, MC, VC at Ringui village and unveiling the memorial monolith of Late Col. (Retd.) AS. Ngaranmi that “stands as a testament of our recommitment to the struggle for Naga freedom, defending our rights, dignity and ancestral homeland,” said the organisers. 

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The programme was chaired by AC. Thotso, secretary of the Working Committee of UNC. The act of unveiling the monolith was done by the chief guest. The ceremony began with a beautiful rendition by the renowned singer Ningshang Ngakang. A S Wungreiyo delivered the welcome address while Atem A Shimray, headman, Ringui village, exhorted the congregation.  AS. Paomathing, ex-Naga Army man recalled the times spent with the Late Col. (retd) A S Ngaranmi while in the service of the Naga army. Ng. Shimray Steering Executive Member, NSCN-IM, gave a short speech in honour of the late colonel on behalf of Ringui National Workers. On behalf of all the Naga civil society organisations, Victor Koring, speaker of United Naga Council offered salutation to the departed Late Col. (Retd.) AS. Ngaranmi for the sacrificial services he has rendered for the Naga nation and encouraged the gathering to stand firm for the Naga cause. 

Mj. Gen. (Retd.) Shangam RVS, MC, guest of honour for the ceremony, reverberated the past struggles of Naga Army especially the account of their arduous journey to China during the 1970s under the leadership of Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser, NSCN-IM and their cherished memories and shared struggles with their bosom friend Late. Col. Ngaranmi during the Alee (foreign) mission and military training in China. He concluded his speech with the words of hope to attain the cherished dream of Naga independence. Special guest Mj. Gen. RS. Chinaoyo, MM, MC testified about the past struggles along the various battles they had fought and triumphed with God’s grace. He further related the untold miseries and suffering of the Naga Army during the 1980s and the struggles of people that have claimed thousands of lives “should be honoured dearly”. He also called and challenged the youth of the nation to rise for the cause and move forward. The contributions of National workers from Ringui village and the villagers as a whole towards the Naga freedom movement were echoed throughout the speeches of the guest of honor and the special guest.

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Chief guest Gen. Ningkhan Shimray, MC, VC, Longvibu, Naga Army, offered his deep honour and revolutionary salute to the Late. Col. (Retd.) AS. Ngaranmi and acknowledged the sacrifices and devoted services to the Naga people rendered by the late leader and expressed his love and respect to the family of late Ngaranmi. 

He further expressed his deep appreciation and due recognition over the contributions and sacrifices made by the villagers and the national workers from the village who have been leading the movement in the forefront during the early stage of our struggle. He lauded the leaders like Brig. (Retd.) Kapangkhui, Ng. Shimray, Steering Executive Member, GPRN and Mj. (Retd.) AS. Ngathingkhui from Ringui village. He further appreciated the intrinsic talents and potentials of the village that have been instrumental in popularising the Naga national movement through motion films and entertainment.

Ningkhan also stressed the need to remain steadfast and stand firm with the national principle which is the covenant of God and Naga people. He strongly exhorted the congregation not to forget the spirit of nationalism, “we must live on the legacy of our past leaders and rekindle the spirit to forge ahead for achieving our common aspiration”. 

Ironically, Ringui village holds importance in the history of Naga struggles for freedom, that the infamous Shillong Accord 1975 was condemned officially for the first time by the Wung Tangkhul Region at Ringui Hongrei (forest) under the chairmanship of Major (Retd) AS Ngathingkhui and RH Raising as the sessional secretary and served as a host to Naga army men in various camps in and around the village during the most horrific and crucial period in the movement.

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(Newmai News Network)