Three Naga villages declared tobacco free villages

Tobacco free declaration program was held at Nsunyu village community hall on Wednesday for Nsunyu, Chunlikha and Likhwenmchu villages.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Tseminyu Nokchasashi Kichu as special guest of the program delivered a brief speech.

He expressed his gratitude to the leaders of the three villages (Nsunyu, Chunlikha and Likhwenchu villages, called Kithagha group) for initiating and bringing themselves into reality as tobacco-free villages.

Kichu also said that village councils are the right bodies for taking up such firm decisions having tremendous impact on the entire community, and also challenged the neighbouring villages to follow the same.

District Nodal Officer (NTCP) Kohima, Dr Arenla Thong gave power point presentation on community sensitization as awareness to control using tobacco, during which she challenged the upcoming youth to save themselves from the influence of using Tobacco.

At the program, State Nodal Officer (NTCP) and Joint Director, Department of H&FW, Dr Hotokhu Chishi made the declaration and said that there are four tobacco free villages in Tseminyu Sub-Division and twelve tobacco free villages in the state at the same time.

Pledge-taking ceremony in support of Tobacco Free Movement was led by Board Chairman NBC, Asao Seb.

The program was chaired by VCC, Jesse Seb Nsunyu. Zukeya Woch. VCC Chunlikha shared about the initiative taken by the three village councils in Tobacco Free Movement. Invocation prayer and vote of thanks were pronounced by Pastor Nsunyu Baptist Church, Khitima Magh and Precilla Magh from Kithagha Mothers Association.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)