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Dimapur, Jan. 26 (EMN): On the 71st Republic Day, the government of Nagaland has appealed to all the Naga ‘political’ groups and stakeholders to be sensitive to the deep yearning of the people and continue with their efforts to ensure that a solution is reached without any further delay.
CM Chang, the minister of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Justice and Law, read the state government's Republic Day speech on Sunday at the Dimapur District Sports Complex in Dimapur.
The speech stated that the efforts that have been exerted for the past many years into the Naga political issue will hopefully bear fruit. "The negotiations of the government of India with all the various Naga political groups have concluded successfully in a positive manner. We are now hopeful of an early solution," it said.
"The GOI deserves our deepest appreciation for taking note of the unique and special status of the state and making provisions in the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 for exempting Nagaland, altogether from the purview of the act by making it inapplicable in the areas covered under the Inner Line notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR) 1873. We are also happy to observe the recognition accorded to BEFR 1873 by GOI of being of vital importance in supplementing the umbrella of protection provided by Article 371 A."
Further, it claimed that the government has recently extended the inner line regulation to cover the entire district of Dimapur, thereby bringing the entire state firmly under the cover of ‘protection’ provided by the inner line.
School Education Department: The state government maintained that redeployment and fresh appointments to address the imbalances particularly in the Mathematics and Science streams were carried out and that from 2020 academic year, 'Teachers' Diary' has been introduced to ensure continuous monitoring of learning outcome of students and teachers' performance in the schools.
Nagaland health project: Under the aided project, the government maintained that the capacity of 456 health committees has been enhanced and improvement of the infrastructure of 177 health units has been planned. For early childhood nutrition care, the Department of Social Welfare is implementing programmes under 3980 Anganwadi centres for children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers with more than 3.50 lakh beneficiaries.
Agriculture: The government said that the state food grain production was expected to increase to about 7.53 lakh MT and as such the food grain productivity should increase from 2176 kg per ha to 2450 kg per ha to achieve food for all by 2025.
Power department: The power department has been successful in achieving 100% rural household electrification as part of the Saubhagya flagship programme of the GOI. Work for the introduction of pre-paid metering is being taken up in Kohima and Dimapur under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) programme, which in the long run will reduce the aggregate technical and commercial loss. The directorate is also carrying out the installation of off-grid solar power plant with an aggregated capacity of 1305 kWp at 355 locations in schools, institutions and establishment of the school education department.
Media person faces restriction for ‘pen and paper’
A security official at the entry gate at the DDSC in Dimapur on Republic Day restricted a Dimapur-based journalist from taking pen and papers inside the venue. According to the security officer, the restriction was a standing instruction and that he was helpless as he had to follow instructions.
"It is strictly instructed pen and papers will not be allowed inside, even for media persons. You have to keep it here. A police officer manning the entry gate said. Are we at war?" the journalist tweeted after the incident.
Elsewhere in the state, the district administrations celebrated Republic Day. The Department of Information and Public Relations (IPR) gave updates on Sunday to the media informing about the various programmes and activities that marked the celebrations.
Tuensang
Tuensang district celebrated the 71st Republic Day on January 26 in the parade ground of Tuensang. Metsubo Jamir, minister for Rural Development was the special guest of the celebration.
Ten contingents took part in the Republic Day parade. The contingents included the district executive force of Tuensang, Village Guards of Tuensang village, and Village Guards of Kuthur; Home Guards, ex-servicemen; National Cadet Corps (NCC) of Tuensang; SPC GHSS of Thangjam, Bharat Scouts & Guides, the 28th Assam Rifles pipe band and the 3rd Nagaland Armed Police pipe band.
Bethel Orphanage Home also participated in the event with a dance performance during the Republic Day programme. The programme also featured a cultural event.
Zunheboto
In Zunheboto district, the minister of Agriculture and Co-operation G Kaito Aye unfurled the national flag. Highlights of the programme included a parade by six contingents. The programme culminated with the beating of the retreat by the 32nd Assam Rifles of Zunheboto.
Mokokchung
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In Mokokchung, Jacob Zhimomi, minister for PHED, unfurled the national flag and delivered the Republic Day speech.
The chief guest inspected the parade contingents which included the Nagaland Armed Police, District Executive Force of Mokokchung, ex-servicemen, NCC and Scout & Guide contingents.
Also, the chief guest inaugurated exhibition stalls that were set up by different departments. Later in the day, an exhibition football match was played between heads of departments and members of the All Ward Union of Mokokchung followed by the Beating of the Retreat.
Agriculture and allied sectors exhibition
In commemoration of the 71st Republic Day, an exhibition was held in the Imkongmeren Sports Complex of Mokokchung showcasing varieties of agriculture products, tools and machinery on Sunday.
The exhibition was organised by the Agriculture Technology Management Agency of Mokokchung in collaboration with the departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Land Resources Department, KVK, SARS and Greenline Enterprise.
The exhibiting was inaugurated by Zhimomi. The exhibition had an array of stalls showcasing local produce, modern agriculture technology tools and implements, and other essential inputs.
The minister gave positive remarks to the organisers for bringing innovative ideas and methods for sustainable farming and even in livestock rearing which can give benefits to farmers.
The exhibiting attracted many people keen to see the new agriculture machines and tools and to buy fresh organic vegetables and fruits.
Longleng
In Longleng, Republic Day was celebrated with Neiba Kronu, minister for Planning & Land Revenue & Parliamentary Affairs as the special guest of the event in the public ground of Longleng.
The special guest read out the Republic Day speech. The special guest unfurled the national flag and took the salute from six parade contingents.
The activities of the daylong program featured modern folk songs, a tug of war and a football exhibition match. The dignitary inaugurated the exhibition and sale stalls of the agriculture and allied department and self-help groups too.
Peren
In Peren, the 71st Republic Day was celebrated at the deputy commissioner's office in new Peren with the advisor for department of Under Developed Areas, N Bongkhao Konyak as the event’s special guest.
The legislator unfurled the national flag, inspected the parade contingents, and delivered the Republic Day speech. He took salute from seven parade contingents comprising the 36th Assam Rifles at Jalukie, District Executive Force of Peren, 9th IRB at Saijang, National Cadet Corps, Sainik School at Punglwa, Peren GHSS and All St. Hr. Sec. School of Peren.
The national flag was hoisted in all govt. offices and institutions and private buildings. Other highlights of the daylong celebration included cultural display performances and music.
Later, in the program, the special guest inaugurated and inspected exhibition stalls which were set up by the departments of Horticulture, Agricultural Technology Management Agency, and Peren District Legal Services Authority.
With the culmination of the National Girl Child Week, the Peren district administration in collaboration with the district level centre for women-MSK conducted a signature campaign in support of the girl child education programme Beti Bacha Beti Padhao, the IPR stated.
Wokha
The 71st Republic Day programme in Wokha was conducted with Minister for Transport, Civil Aviation & Railways, Land Resources, P Paiwang Konyak at the chief guest of the event.
The highlights of the programme included a folk song from the Wokha District Differently Able Persons Association, among others.
The IPR explained that “feeding of jail inmates was carried out by IRCS Wokha,” among programmes that had community groups visiting various institutions.
Eight parade contingents including the pipe band from the 40 Assam Rifles took part in the march past, the IPR informed.
Mon
In Mon, minister of Health & Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom, unfurled the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 at the local ground of Mon.
The chief guest received the salute from various contingents. The chief guest read out the Republic Day speech, the IPR stated.
In the evening session, the deputy commissioner of Mon, Thavaseelan K, and Mon police superintendent Imnalensa were the chief guests. The highlights of the programme were a penalty shoot-out competition, an exhibition football match. The programme ended with a band display followed by the beating of the Retreat by the 6th Nagaland Armed Police pipe band.
Phek
In Phek district, the 71st Republic Day was celebrated in a grand manner at the Phek local ground on January 26 with Minister for Housing & Mechanical, Tongpang Ozukum as the chief guest of the programme. He unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute. He inspected 11 parade contingents, and thereafter delivered the Republic Day speech.
The chief guest also inaugurated 18 exhibitions stalls that were put up by various departments and self-help groups. The National Anthem was presented by Kiddies Corner School of Phek.
As part of the celebrations, members of the officers club, Phek headquarters also visited the district jail and district hospital by the SBI and NABARD.
In the evening programme exhibition, a T20 cricket match was played followed by prize distribution. The programme concluded with the beating of the Retreat by the District Executive Force of Phek.
Kiphire
Republic Day was celebrated in the public ground of Kiphire on January 26 with the minister for Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining, V Kashiho Sangtam as the host.
The national flag was hoisted in all government offices and educational institutions. The minister reviewed the parade and unfurled the national flag and read out the Republic Day speech during the programme.
Later, the chief guest inaugurated an exhibition set up by various departments and self-help groups in Kiphire.
The evening’s football exhibition match was played between United Vikings FC and Nehru Yuka Kendra. The programme ended with the beating of the retreat by the District Executive Force of Kiphire.
Noklak
Republic Day in Noklak was conducted in the public ground of Noklak with the advisor for Prisons, Printing & Stationary, H Haiying as the event’s special guest.
He unfurled the national flag and took salute from the parade contingents consisting of the 3rd Nagaland Armed Police, Waoshu Village Guards, Langnok Village Guards, centre pensioners’ union, and schools.
The special guest read out the Republic Day speech which was followed by an entertainment programme.
Further, the special guest inspected the stalls put up by various departments to mark the celebrations.