DIPR
DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 2
THE three districts tour of the Governor of Nagaland, Dr Ashwani Kumar, to Kiphire, Tuensang and Longleng via Meluri, concluded on February 1. The tour commenced by road from Raj Bhavan on January 28 and culminated at Longleng on February 1.The Governor was extended a warm traditional welcome, by the public of Longleng led by the two MLAs of the district, minister for Industries & Commerce and chairman NIDC, S Pangnyu Phom and parliamentary secretary for Land Resources, BS Nganlang Phom. A formal civic reception to the Governor and his entourage organized by the District Administration and the Phom People’s Council, was held at the Convention Hall of PBCA, Nyengching, Longleng.
In Longleng, the Governor re-iterated the purpose of his visit to the three far flung districts of Kiphire, Tuensang and Longleng, including the border sub-division of Phek district, Meluri; ‘to experience and witness ground realities of the lives of the people of those difficult areas’.
He also said that he was there to listen to them on their needs and their progress, as well as their suggestions for future developments. The areas that the Governor visited, all had similar conditions and needs with akin topography and resources.
He therefore, interacted similarly to the people of Longleng as he did at Meluri, Kiphire and Tuensang. The major common issues were on roads, health care, employment and power in Longleng. The Governor expressed that the existing roads were satisfactory for the present situations, however the maintenance at many sectors were urgently required with drainages, culverts and bridges.
The Governor indirectly chided some Heads of Department offices while saying that equal and same number of different Govt. Deptts. as in other districts were there and if deficiency exists despite special funds provided by the Govt, the public should emulate the ‘ECS’, House of Hope at Longpang in Tuensang, and suggested a visit to it by all concerned.
The Governor visited the Orphanage at Longleng where the inmate children play acted a song ‘I am nobody’s Child’ which was deeply touching and melancholic. The Honourable Governor, who is recalled to have paid a visit to all the destitute institutions, on the eve of New Year at Kohima, lifted and cuddled a child from among the orphans of this Orphanage.
He then visited the patients at the Civil Hospital, where he was shown around by the MS, Dr Thepukushio Sophie. The most notable to the Governor, was obviously the all-cases OT and the never used X-Ray equipment for the last eleven years since its installation at the hospital due to non-medical causes. The Governor appreciated and even thanked the medical staff for their humanitarian services to the people of the remote area and poor patients.
During the Civic Reception, the Minister of Industries & Commerce and Chairman NIDC, S Pangnyu Phom and the parliamentary secretary for Land Resources, BS Nganlang Phom, both delivered speeches after the welcome address by the DC Longleng, Libanthung Lotha and speech by the president of Phom People’s Council, H Leisha Phom. S. Pangnyu expressed happiness over the fact that Dr Ashwani was the first Governor to make a tour to Longleng out of his own concern and not as an invitee to an occasion.
He also highlighted that there has been noticeable changes in Longleng district ever since attainment of separate district status. BS Nganlang expressed that the district is in need of development in many aspects.
However, the most urgent intercession he placed to the Governor was the boundary dispute between his area Tamlu and Assam. He stated that Assam has reneged from the mutual agreement to let the disputed area be manned by Central neutral Para-military forces and have occupied the Govt of Nagaland School building, with its State Police at Ladaigarh village.
The children of Lempong School presented a skit on Environment and Ecology conservation called ‘This is our voice’. A special song was presented by the Cross Road Band. Cultural troupes of the Pongo Union and Oushok Cultural group performed. The reception was attended by Heads of Offices, NGOs and general public of Longleng.
The Governor paid a courtesy visit to Bhumnyu Village, with which his official tour formally concluded.
The Governor, broke journey at every village, to step out and shake hands with each person, young and old. The act was definitely a rare and memorable moment to the village folks. He accessibly interacted with the denizens and collected their petitions after perusals and clarifications. The welcome, banners and placards revealed a much loved and a much already heard of Governor whom they met.
