Staff Reporter
Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) will undertake a beautification and revamp of the Naga Cemetery at Lake View Colony Dimapur in preparations for the platinum jubilee of Naga Cemetery Dimapur in 2024.
This was agreed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ASTD and NCD at the latter’s office here today.
Speaking to the media after signing the MoU, NCD president Etsungmomo Kikon said that beautification of the old Naga cemetery was one of the activities proposed to take up in commemoration of the platinum jubilee, scheduled to be celebrated in 2024.
Kikon informed that the cemetery was established in 1972 and spread over an area of 18 bighas.
Since then, NCD had been maintaining and safeguarding the cemetery in the larger interest of the citizens of Dimapur irrespective of caste, tribe and religion.
Kikon also stated that ASTD came forward with a proposal to take up the maintenance and preservation of the cemetery and convert it into a tourist attraction centre in remembrance of the departed souls.
With this noble objective, Kikon said the ASTD requested the NCD to allot the old Naga cemetery so that its maintenance and beautification could be taken up and convert it into a tourist attraction centre.
Further, Kikon said that NCD and ASTD had a detailed discussion on the matter and formulated necessary plan.
Kikon informed that a prayer service was organized for the departed soul at the Naga old cemetery on March 1, 2022 and launched the beautification works, which were not in full progress.
Kikon said that many Naga pioneers and personalities had been laid to rest at the Naga cemetery, adding that their memories still stand.
He said that the initiative will also facilitate the people and well-wishers to visit frequently.
NCD president said it was bounden duty and responsibility of the society to maintain, preserve and safeguard the cemetery from encroachment and damages.
It was informed that ASTD was now authorized for renovation and maintenance work of the cemetery. ASTD has already setup a camp at the cemetery to coordinate with all concerned for proper execution of the work. NCD and ASTD informed all deceased family members to visit the cemetery and identify the tombs for necessary renovations/modifications, if any, for beautification.