Naga Traditional New Year: SSPC member UM delivered New Year Speech

Member of the State Security and Peace Commission Union Minister for Defence, General Maung Maung Aye along with the Union Ministers and officials, arrived in Leshi Town in the afternoon of January 14 to attend the Naga Traditional New Year Festival.

They were warmly welcomed by Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw, Naga Self-Administered Zone Leading Body Chairman U Tun Tun Win and officials and representatives of Naga ethnic tribes performing traditional dances. The Union Minister and party attended the 2026 Naga Traditional New Year Festival held in Leshi Town, in the morning of January 15.

The Union Minister delivered a New Year greeting speech, stating that the traditional culture, customs, and historical heritage of the Naga people are a proud part of the nation. He noted that the Naga traditional costumes, splendid headdresses, and all traditional dances further enrich the Union.

He emphasized that the State is striving to build a firm foundation for national stability, peace, and the rule of law, aiming for a genuine, disciplined, multi-party democratic system. He mentioned that Phase (1) of the 2025 multi-party democracy general election was successfully held on December 28, 2025, and Phase (2) was successfully held on January 11, 2026.

He added that Phase (1) of the election was also successfully held in the Naga region. He urged continued efforts to implement stability, peace, and development tasks in the region for the future new democratic state. Subsequently, the Union Minister and party presented regional development supplies, which were received by the NSAZ Leading Body Chairman and responsible officials.

Following this, the Union Minister and party warmly greeted and took commemorative photos with the Naga ethnic tribes who attended the 2026 Naga Traditional New Year Festival. The Union Minister and partys then toured traditional cultural exhibitions and departmental exhibitions. In the afternoon, the Union Minister and party visited the Theravada Buddhist Missionary (Central) Monastery in Leshi Town, paid respects to the Missionary Leader Sayadaw, and offered alms rice and other donations.

They also visited the Leshi Town Main Baptist Church, met with the pastor and officials, and presented food items. Afterwards, the Union Minister and party also visited Leshi Town People's Hospital, warmly greeted and encouraged local ethnic nationals receiving medical treatment, and together with officials, distributed nutritional supplements.

The Union Minister and party then visited the Leshi Town Domestic Science Training School and Youth Training School, inspected them, and coordinated necessary support. In the evening, the Union Minister, along with the members, attended the 2026 Naga Traditional Cultural Bonfire. They participated alongside local ethnic nationals, lit the traditional cultural bonfire, watched and supported performances of traditional dances by various Naga tribes, and presented floral basket of honor and cash award to the Naga dance troupes.