Legislator says ‘peace accord’ a step closer toward development

Staff Reporter
Dimapur, September 2

Parliamentary Secretary for Labor and Employment (Skill development) and Border Affairs Mmhonlumo Kikon has called the recent signing of the peace accord between the Government of India and the armed underground group NSCN (IM) as ‘historic’ and a step closer toward development for the state of Nagaland.
He was addressing a freshmen-conclave of Dimapur-based institution, Unity College. The college marked its 9th freshmen conclave on Wednesday, September 2.
The ‘bold move’ initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a progress toward development of the state said Kikon. Recalling the violence and hostilities of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, he said that no one wants to go through those years ever again: It is ‘simple logic’ that everyone wants peace, the legislator said. ‘This peace’, he remarked, ‘should be lasting brought by the different parties’. While most sections of the state are questioning the ‘peace accord’, he said, “as citizens of the country and state, shouldn’t we look for positive aspects of the positive accord”.
Without ‘participating in violence we are also participating in negativity by reacting over the peace accord, Kikon said. “Today times have changed and with this there has been change in the idea of India and the country has understood the sacrifice made by Nagas,” he said.
For the students, the politician had these words: Time to get rational. Drawing the attention of students to concerns raised in the social media community, he pointed out that the security-of-anonymity the youths have when using technology have also turned them irrational. He called upon the students to have a sense of responsibility, engage more but be well-informed as ‘tomorrow these issues will be a headache when they (students) become leaders of the state or country.’
Stirring the students to go for skill development, Kikon acknowledged that the community was lacking the culture of entrepreneurship. Nonetheless, the reminded the students that the economy of Nagaland was linked to economy of the country.
He also referred to the current controversy about the tribute to Rani Gaidinliu in Nagaland. He acknowledged that the recognition came ‘late’ but under Modi’s governance this has been possible more on two levels: the feeling of nationalism, and secondly, Modi’s ‘association with Rani Gaidinliu’.
On development, he said that the Naga people of Nagaland were discontented with the state of infrastructure and development, for instance, the roads in the state. However, he said that the ‘government sector’ was now saturated. The involvement of every individual in demanding creation of government jobs in the state have led to attempts to fulfill them by the government: For instance, more money is spent on employees’ salary without developing the state, he said.
Challenging the students’ community, Kikon urged them to ‘flush out the proxy trend’ in Nagaland. He called it ‘rampant’. Fight it instead of criticizing the legislators, he said. The right to comment comes with obligation and responsibility, he said. He urged the students to develop ‘winning habits’ and inculcate single-mindedness toward a goal.
On the day, the college’s magazine and journal was released by Mmhonlumo Kikon and dedicated by Lotha Baptist Church’s Associate Pastor Yanbemo Ovung. Rajasthani dance, tribal folk songs, and a culture-themed fashion show by students of Unity College marked the day’s event. Successful students and lecturers of the college were also honored during the program.