Government efforts bring peace in Nagaland village

KOHIMA - The Chumukedima, a picturesque village, in the Patkai Mountain range in Nagaland. A few years back, the village was engulfed in fratricidal clashes but with the collective efforts of the people and the Government it is on the revival path to peace, normalcy and progress.

The first thing that strikes you on the way to Chumukedima Village is its magnificent gateway.

Beyond the gate lies a quite countryside where silence is broken intermittently by sounds of the nature’s creations.

Chumukedima Village is located 55 kilometres from Kohima and is inhabited by approximately 232 families.

It is hard to believe that it was once the theater of frequent factional clashes between the Naga Nationalist Groups of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) and NSCN (U).

But times have changed. With Government assistance, the village is now calm and there is peace and development.

“All the schemes come through Village Development Board (VDB) in the form of some grant-in-aid. NREGS funds are provided in phases, which are utilized for the construction of approach roads and also for digging ring wells in the village,” said Peito, the Chumukedima Village Council Chairman.

“The main source of water that we are collecting is from the hillside stream. Probably after sometime, we will be able to supply water to every household in the village. We are hopeful, there will be another water reservoir in coming days under the Government’s help,” said Medo, a Villager.

The villagers lead uncomplicated lives and mainly depend on agriculture, pig farming and cattle rearing for their livelihood.

The need for education of the children is something that concerns the villagers.

“I have three sons and I don’t have a Government job. We are not from well to do family. Even though I’m poor yet I try my best to impart quality education to my children. The right to education bill is new to me but I really welcome it and hope that the state Government will also implement it sooner or later,” said Mhasikhotou, a villager.

Under the national flagship programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’s (SSA) scheme, elementary education is provided to the village children.

New school facilities are added and the existing infrastructure is upgraded on a regular basis.

“Regarding, the centrally sponsored schemes, we get Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan schemes (SSA). Under SSA, construction of buildings, extension of rooms, construction of well, walls and electrification of school buildings. Mid-day meal is another important factor that we got along with free textbooks,” said Bahauddin Ahmed, Village Education Council (VEC) Secretary.

Gradual but positive changes are taking place in the village.

“We are experiencing that many developmental activities are taking place in the span of few years. We are hoping for a better future. I also want to encourage all the youths,” said Medo.

Even though it might take some time for Chumukedima to become self-sufficient, yet all signs clearly indicate that the transformation is underway. By Peter Chachei (ANI)