DIMAPUR — Article 371 (A) was included in the Constitution of India solely to protect the rights of the people of Nagaland against exploitation from those outside the state and hence its provisions should not be misinterpreted and misused for selfish interests, which in turn hampers the developmental activities of the state, said minister for Rural Development and SIRD, Metsubo Jamir.
He was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Kohima Ao Union held at Molu Ki, Kohima, on Saturday, according to an update from DIPR.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The minister lamented several developmental activities in the state being hampered by land issues and conflicts with land owners, who often put various agencies in tight spot by demanding “unreasonable compensations” citing the special provision provided in Article 371 (A).
He stressed on the need to develop the economy at a quick pace in order to address the ever-increasing unemployment problem in the state.
While appreciating the efforts of the leaders of Kohima Ao Union, both past and present, for keeping the union strong for more than four decades, he encouraged the present leaders to pass on the legacy to the younger generation. He also urged the Aos settled outside Mokokchung to contribute towards the development of the district and ensure that it slowly transforms into a business hub that caters to the needs of the nearby districts such as Longleng, Tuensang and Zunheboto.
Read: NFHRCC urges Nagaland government to expedite process of Foothills Road funding
Also speaking at the event, Senior Advocate of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, C.T. Jamir said that the monicker given to Mokokchung and its people as ‘the land of pioneers’ is an honour as well as a responsibility, which every individual must take seriously and ensure to live up to the name.
Maintaining that time has come for the Ao people to retrospect, acknowledge their weaknesses and work hard towards making positive changes to the society as a whole, he also said it’s “time to provide an equal platform to women in all walks of life because a society can only move ahead when both men and women work together as equals and make equal contributions in accordance to one’s capabilities”.
Advisor of Information and Public Relations, Soil and Water Conservation, Imkong L Imchen; outgoing president of the Kohima Ao Union, L. Cubalepzuk Ao; and vice president of the union, T. Chubayanger Ao also spoke at the event.
It was informed that T Chubayanger was elected as the president of Kohima Ao Union, Moanungsang Jamir as vice president, Temjen Pongen as general secretary, and L. Sashi Imchen as assistant general secretary for 2023-2025 tenure.