Kohima: In Longleng the 71st Phom Day was celebrated on Tuesday, under the theme “Peace within, Peace Beyond” with B. Bangtick Phom, MLA as the Special Guest. He unfurled the Phom Day Flag and delivered Phom Day massage. 

A. Pongshi Phom, MLA, unveiled the Phom Day monolith at the Phom Day pledge declaration site and exhorted the crowd to remember the pioneers of Phom Lt. Hamnyei and Lt. Yongtau as well as other intellectual leaders who gave their lives to put an end to the headhunting era in Phom land.

In order to create peace and harmony in Phom land, Pongshi appealed to the Phom community to follow the footsteps of the pioneer and urged the youth to remember the road towards peace and togetherness laid down by them.

The Deputy commissioner Longleng Dharam Raj IAS, delivered the solitary message. While  Phom Day way forward, vision for present Phom generation was proposed by Chongpe Angh, Secretariat Assistant Education Department, C. Henchem Phom, Centre Administrator Sakhi-one-stop Centre Longleng and T. Lichai Phom respectively. 

Head Dobashi Longleng led the affirmation of Phom Day pledge and Towards the Platinum by Phom Day Commission. 

Shudang, Former PA to DC, in his address said that Phom Day is a unique peace day observed by the Phom community on 6th June annually. Phom day was started on 6th June 1952, under the dynamic leadership of Lt. Hamnyei and Lt. Yongtau and other intellectual from different village.

On this day, the leaders took a pledge to stop head hunting killing and attacking rival villages. This day marks the end of head hunting era and beginning of new dawn in Phom Land, he added. 

On the occasion, the N.I. Jamir topper award and APGO Academic excellence award 2023 were given away to the following students Lishen, Manhahu, Imdan Moili Phom, Nokcha C. Phom,  Yungken C. Phom, Themmei Phom, Baunennyu chong.