Late Tajen Ao road from City Tower Junction to ADC Court monolith was inaugurated by president, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) Supu Jamir on Thursday here at City Tower junction.
In a brief speech, Supu Jamir appealed all the business establishments within the area to change their signboards to late Tajen Ao road with immediate effect.
While delivering a brief profile of late Tajen Ao, Dimapur Mangmetong Union (DMU) member, Temsumongba Pongen said that late Tajenyuba Ao was commonly known as Tajen Ao by his contemporaries. He was the third son of teacher, late Manglalepden Imchen and Osemdangla Longchar of Mangmetong village of Mokokchung district.
Jamir also informed the gathering that late Tajen Ao was a bright student since high school who went on to become the first advocate among the Nagas. He also held various positions such as president Ao Students Conference (AKM) from 1953-59, president Ongpangkong Range Mungdang (OM) from 1958-64, member Naga delegation to Delhi for peace mission in 1963, principal Mokokchung Law College from 1981-1994, judge, motor accident claims tribunal, government of Nagaland from 1992-1994 and also initiated survey of ADC Court to Hotel Tragopan.
Jamir informed that late Tajen Ao was elected in the first general election of Nagaland from 28 Koridang assembly constituency in the year 1964 from democratic party, where he was also the deputy leader of democratic party from 1964-69. He was offered the post of chief minister which he reportedly refused.
Under the chairmanship of A. Kevichusa, Tajen Ao, Ngurohie Zao, Vizol and Nsemo Ovung, the first regional party named as Democratic Party of Nagaland (DP) was formed in December 1963, the United Front of Nagaland (UFN) in 1968, United Parliamentary Group (UPG) (1972), the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1972, the Naga National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1982, The Naga People Party (NPP) in 1983 and The Naga Peoples Council (NPC) in 1988, stated Jamir. Late Tajen Ao was also a prominent figure in Naga politics and a vocal proponent of Naga nationalism. He also authored several books on Naga history and legal literature. Tajen Ao passed away on December 7, 1994 at Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh. He was laid to rest in his native village Mangmetong.
Jamir said the government of Nagaland acknowledged his selfless services, deeds and contribution to the state, thereby a road between City Tower Junction, Dimapur to ADC Court was named after him.
Earlier the inaugural programme was chaired by T. Lanu Imchen, while dedicatory prayer was pronounced by pastor Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA) Rev Moang Ao. The benediction was done by ex-pastor, East Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (EDABA), Rev.Yanglu.