Unity, unity and unity: Nagas must rise above divisions — Rio

Eastern Mirror Desk
Bhandari, May 9: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said that the PDA government’s ‘top agenda’ was to solve the Indo-Naga political issue “as our people have suffered for too long and the political conflict has created challenges and hurdles for generations.”

Rio was addressing at the 28th NSF general conference on Thursday at Bhandari town in Wokha district.

Nagas, he asserted, were at ‘a crucial juncture in history and unless we live in peace and arrive at a political solution our future may not be bright.’

“We should not only support the peace process but we have to make sacrifices by rising above individualism, clanism, tribalism and instead uphold ‘Nagaism'”, he said.

Rio regretted the absence of a ‘unified Naga platform’, especially among the various civil organisations. “From the tribal (sic) hohos to the women and tribal organisations, we still do not have unified platform that will carry the Naga voice in a manner that transcends tribe, districts, states and countries.”

He appealed all the leaders to ‘come together for the greater cause of the people by setting aside all differences and polarisation.’

On the state’s education scenario, Rio pointed out that with just 68.29% pass percentage against 91.10% pass percentage in CBSE, the real concern was the overall decreasing pass percentage of the NBSE. He also noted that the private schools have performed better than government schools.

Rio also shared concern over the “downward trend” in the number of Naga students qualifying for civil services conducted by UPSC. ‘In order to help deserving Naga students compete with the best in UPSC examinations, the government has taken an initiative of sponsoring Naga students to undergo professional coaching in the best institutions.’

Addressing the issue of ‘illegal immigrants’, Rio asserted that the state’s financial circulation will remain within the local sphere and the economy will turn into a vibrant economy only when the general workforce is local-based.

The state government is in the course of implementing various programmes and policies to empower the people with emphasis on start-ups and entrepreneurships, eco and cultural tourism, sports, music, arts and many other sectors where there are massive yet untapped potential, he said.

“We have committed to bring change for the better in the state and we have accorded priority to the betterment and improvement of basic infrastructure such as roads, water supply, electricity and empowerment of the people through youth activities, economic uplift, particularly the rural farmers. However all these changes can come about effectively only when we work together and one should not depend only on the government for change but each and everyone must do our part for the betterment of the state to see real change,” he asserted.

Nagaland government has banned the use of plastic and is making efforts to ensure that use of single-use plastic is eradicated, Rio maintained. He challenged the youth; and the students to lead by example and make the slogan “clean and green Nagaland” a reality.

L Dikho, Manipur’s PHED minister who graced the inaugural session as a special guest, said the NSF is the ‘most important organisation and platform for Nagas’ across Naga land.

“Nagas beyond borders love to work with NSF; and Nagas without border is our vision,’ the Manipur legislator said even as he appealed to the Naga students to work together and grow with the NSF.

Dikho also emphasised on the Christian faith as he claimed that, as Christians, ‘we have to stop criticising our faith and the Church.’

The coordination of North East Students Organisation, Pritam Sonam said the northeast region shares “common traits of illegal immigrants” and lauded the NSF for their “operation clean drive” and stand on the Citizenship Amendment Bill. He wished for early resolution to the Indo-Naga peace talk.

The president of Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF), Sepili L Sangtam remarked that though the ENSF and the NSF “come from different circumstances” they were united by circumstances “seeking the same future and sharing a healthy relationship.”

The NSF president, Kesosul Christopher Ltu said that with the saturation of government jobs, it was time for Naga youth to look beyond the government sector.

“We are divided because we have fallen into others’ propaganda. Let us be an ambassador to advocate for unity (sic),” he said.