Changtongya, December 19 (MExN): He was executed inside a camp for some undisclosed reasons on November 19, 2003 while he was a Kilonser. His body was buried in some forest in the Konyak region, and after eight years, the mortal remains of Temjennukshi Longkumer were finally brought home under the active initiative of the Ao Senden – the apex body of the Ao community.
It was a time of deep succor not only for the family and relatives of the deceased, but also for the whole villagers and the Ao people as the mortal remains (mostly bones) were unearthed from the forest in Konyak area and brought back to his native village, Changtongya. A public programme led by the Ao Senden was held in tribute to the slain leader.
During the programme, leaders of Ao Senden asserted that bringing the mortal remains of late Temjennukshi should not be construed as politically motivated, but simply in keeping with the Ao traditions, since the Ao people have the tradition of searching for the mortal remains of their community and bringing them back to be buried in their native lands.
During the past years, the family and relatives of the slain leader and also the villagers tried their best to bring the mortal remains, but due to the tense political situations, the remains could not be brought back to the native village. The previous two Ao Senden leaders also tried to bring the mortal remains but failed. It is this only after eight years, and countless of efforts from different quarters, the present Ao Senden leaders under the leadership of Lendinoktang, could succeed in bringing the mortal remains.
“The Aos are regarded as people who search for the bones of their community till the end. Bringing the mortal remains of late Temjennukshi should not be politicized. This is just in keeping in tune with the Ao traditions and culture, nothing more nothing less,” said Lendinoktang, the president of the Ao Senden. He said that late Temjennukshi, by virtue of being a Naga leader was deserving to be buried anywhere in the Naga homeland, however since his blessings of being a leader should be given to the people of Changtongya village and also the relatives, the Ao Senden took the initiative in bringing the mortal remains. He hoped that this act would renew the very basis of the Ao traditions and culture of searching for the bones of the dead ones.
Taking the opportunity, the Ao Senden president sent out an appeal to the Naga political groups, that it would be good if the Naga political groups could be more lenient in their punishments. Lendinoktang said that while serving the nation, misunderstandings might arise among the leaders due to human shortcomings, however he appealed the Naga political groups not to send their cadres ‘directly to the grave’ but give a little lesser punishment, which would be much better.
Besides, he also appealed that the Naga groups that when situation comes, it would be good if the members are simply discharged or released from the group, since a discharged member cannot speak or do anything against the group. Nonetheless, different leaders, including the Ao Students’ Conference president, spoke at the programme and highly lauded the Ao Senden leadership for bringing the mortal remains to the native village. Relatives and family members also spoke at the programme.
Late Temjennukshi Longkumer was fifty three years old (Born in 1950) when he was executed. He left behind his wife, one son and three daughters. His mortal remains were buried in the courtyard of his private residence in Changtongya Town.
