Hundreds of people from all walks of life including people from Eastern Nagaland paid rich tributes to late S.Bautung Phom, first Interim Body Member (IBM) from Phom community on his 55th death anniversary which was commemorated today at Bautung Government Higher Secondary School auditorium, Longleng.
Parliamentary secretary Land Resource & Excise, B.S.Nganlang Phom as chief guest paid rich tribute to late S. Bautung Phom, a pioneer and true patriot with great vision who truly stood by his principle and sacrificed his precious life and who had died a martyr’s death in the service of his people.
Nganlang also acknowledged his significant service and vision for the Tuensang Frontier Division and for supreme sacrifice of Nagaland statehood. He also said that late leader’s concern for the suffering of his fellow citizen drew him to the Naga politics which resulted in losing his precious life not for his personal gain but for the cause of its people and state.
Nganlang also lamented that when other Naga leaders were recognized and acknowledged widely for their contribution by the government and Naga people, late S.Bautung Phom’s sacrifices has never been recognized, both by the government and Naga people. He therefore called upon the people to come closer and work together so that Naga people recognized and acknowledged the supreme sacrifices he had made for the Nagas. Chief guest also unveiled the memorial monolith of late S.Bautung Phom.
Speaking on the occasion, Khoiwang Wangsa, president Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) who was the guest of honour said, supreme sacrifices and contribution of late leader for the cause of Nagaland statehood cannot go in vain but should be recognized and acknowledged. Khoiwang also said ENPO people must work unitedly and understand the stand of ENPO so that past history may not repeat again. He also acknowledged the Tamlu Village Buhu Union and family members of late Bautung Phom for organizing the programme to commemorate the 55th death anniversary of the late leader.
P.Chingan Phom, president Phom Peoples’ Council as the special guest on the occasion thanked all the leaders under ENPO and village council members of all the villages under Longleng district who had come to grace the 55th death anniversary.
Others who spoke on the occasion included, DC Longleng Denngan Avennoho, president Phomla Hoichem, president Phom Students’ Conference, president APGO, all the chairmen of village councils of Longleng district and Manli Phom (Vongngoi) wife of late S. Bautung Phom.
Late S. Bautung Phom was born to Shabu and Shuje Phom, first Christian converts of Tamlu village on July 7, 1922. Late S.Bautung Phom was the first educationist among the villages in those days and did his schooling in Government High School Kohima and passed class X in 1955. Late Bautung had served in different capacity as kilonser NNC from 1956-58, government teacher at Government Middle School (Now Bautung Government Higher Secondary School Longleng) from 1958-1960. He was also the member of 16 member Naga delegation (Negotiating Body) who went to Delhi on July 26, 1960 for negotiation with the government of India for the creation of present Nagaland state. Late S. Bautung Phom was inducted as Interim Body member (IBM) on February 18, 1961 and was assassinated on August 29, 1962 at Longleng.
Earlier, the programme was led by A. Chingu Phom, president Tamlu Buhu Union, invocation by Rev.Beau Phom , pastor Longleng Town Baptist Church. Noklang brothers and Tamlu village students’ union presented special songs while gratitude was proposed by B.Chingpah Phom, son of late S.Bautung Phom.