Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 17
Minister of Public Health & Engineering Department, Tokheho Yepthomi Thursday urged the ‘Naga Political Groups’ (NPGs) to seize the golden opportunity given to them to press for early settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue.
Participating in the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address at the ongoing Nagaland Legislative Assembly session, Yepthomi stated that the legislators of Nagaland had unanimously resolved to press for early settlement.
“The legislators have opened up the platform to the national workers with our fullest support, therefore, they should realize that this is the right opportunity to bring a solution to the decade-long Indo-Naga political issue,” Yepthomi said reminding the ‘NPGs’ not to let the opportunity go wasted.
“If we let go the opportunity, it is not to long for the Nagas to think whether to move for political sovereignty or for economic independence.”
On the progress of biometric attendance at the Nagaland Secretariat, the minister welcomed the development and further proposed the need to implement biometric attendance in all the government departments.
Yepthomi also shared his concern on the recent standoff at Kiphire, Pungro and Shamator.
“The more we fight, the more we will suffer,” he said while making an ardent plea to all sections of the Naga society to find ways to live as one. The minister shared his opinion that the societal problems cannot be left alone to the police and administration personnel, rather the society should come together to amicably settle and make the wrongs right.
He regretted in learning that some groups within the State have formed forces to defend themselves and speak for their rights. “No tribes should form any forces to defend themselves. It will only destroy themselves in the long run,” he remarked.
Echoing similar sentiments, MLA G Kaito Aye also urged the NPGs to utilize the opportunity to bring a permanent solution for the Nagas. Though mentioning that the ongoing talk is between the Government of India and NSCN (IM), he, however pressed the need for including all other NPGs to the same table.
“Our idea of bringing settlement is inclusiveness,” he said maintaining that we (Nagas) have failed to give due recognition to the other NPGs.
History and documents alone cannot solve Assam-Nagaland border issues
MLA Imkong L. Imchen today urged the Chief Minister TR Zeliang to give more focus to the prolonging border issues between the states of Assam and Nagaland.
“A state with no clear cut boundary has got no definition whatsoever,” Imchen said while participating in the motion of thanks to the Governor’s address at the ongoing 11th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
“History and documents alone cannot solve the problems; rather we need to amicably settle by extending friendship and showing gestures,” he said and further proposed the need to settle the border issues outside the court.
On Naga political issues, he said the formation of one single party in the present NLA sitting was solely to press for early solution.
Maintaining that statehood was brought about under a political agreement, Imchen, however, regretted that Nagaland has now become an ordinary State like any other states.
To this, he added that the Nagas should be careful enough before signing the impending agreement. He cited instances of the past agreements which have been abrogated.
Other legislators who participated in the debate were Levi Rengma, Deo Nukhu, YM Yolow, Dr. Imtiwapang, BS Nganlang, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Dr. TM Lotha and Vikho-o Yhoshü.
CM endorses members’ views on achieving peace, development
Chief Minister, TR Zeliang in his concluding remark on the address by the Governor clarified on different issues pointed out by various legislators during the debate hour and also said he endorsed the positive views given by members on finding “real peace for our land”.
On the points raised on resolving the long standing Naga political issue, Zeliang said that the Prime Minister of India is very serious and determined on bringing solution to the Naga political issue and the other central leaders of various political parties have also been apprised of the issue by the Parliamentary Working Committee. Should a modality be worked out and the matter raised in the Parliament, Zeliang expressed positivity that majority would support it. He also stressed his belief that permanent peace is possible if the Naga people are united and there is real unification among different Naga political groups. He also expressed hope that the NSCN (K) will consider the desire of the Naga people and come back to ceasefire with the Government of India.
On the border issue with neighbouring Assam, the Chief Minister said that Nagaland always sought for peaceful and amicable settlement outside the court to resolve the Assam-Nagaland border issue. He highlighted that Assam had filed a suit in the Supreme Court in 1989 and the case is still going on. He said that boundary commission and mediators were suggested for resolution by the Centre, however, Assam government rejected those proposals and opted for judgement of the Supreme Court. He also said that the apex Court is examining witnesses and the attorney general of Nagaland and his team are fighting for the case currently.
The Chief Minister asserted that Peace Committees were constituted on both sides and dialogue is continuing, thus, there is hope in resolving the issue amicably yet, he added.
On the doubts raised by some members of the House on Kohima getting selected for Smart City Mission, Zeliang said the state is trying to get Kohima included in the second phase of 23 smart cities selection.
On the issue of land and its resources in the state, he said it was explained to the Government of India that the State Assembly had passed the Nagaland Petroleum & Natural Gas regulations 2012 in line with the provision of Article 371 A and the former has also understood the issue.
On the “abandoned” construction of parking lot at New NST Kohima site, Zeliang said that a proposal was moved for the project to be taken under AMRUT for completion since the Centre has scrapped the earlier JNNRUM scheme under which it was taken up. As for the old Medical Directorate and the Municipal Council building sites, he said litigation is going on and the state government is trying to resolve the matter soon.
He also mentioned that the government will do its best to develop facilities for agriculture products marketing, and also to train and equip the youth of the state with skills to enable them to become more employable.
Zeliang said the government will take note of the suggestions given in the House and consider whatever is possible and implement them accordingly in the interest of the people.
The motion of thanks to the address by the Governor was adopted by the August House through voice vote.
