Kohima: Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, on Thursday, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command and Central leaders have “agreed” to accept the support letters extended by other political parties and Independents legislators.
Replying to a query during the first session of the 14th NLA on whether the NDPP-BJP government has accepted the opposition-less government, Rio said he “welcomes” the support extended by the political parties and legislators, adding that the letters have been submitted to the governor and to the NLA secretariat for record.
“I have spoken to the BJP high command and the Central leaders, and they have agreed heartily, and therefore I accept your support”, Rio said.
He expressed confidence that the coming together of all the political parties and Independent legislators will help the state in reaching even higher levels of development, progress and achieving an early solution to the Naga political issue.
‘In the interest of the people, for an early solution to the Naga political issue and various other issues confronting the state, it requires support, cooperation and assistance of each and every member of all political parties including Independents,’ Rio said.
“The people want positive change and performance. Our duty is to deliver the goods to our citizens. We have taken the decision to serve the public and we must never undermine the mandate which the people have placed upon us,” he added.
He further told the members that the top-most priority is to ensure that the people always come first.
Replying to NPF legislator Kuzholuzo Nienu’s statement on elections based on money power, Rio said that one should not undermine the mandate of the people.
“The electorate has spoken and to say that money power was the determining factor is disrespect to our fellow citizens including the very electors who voted for you also. Let us not undermine the wisdom and intelligence of the people”, he said.
He urged all the political parties to self-introspect and try to understand the dynamics of the electoral results.
The Naga political issue and the Naga political movement are not private properties or domains of any party, organisation or individual and to claim that one party is the champion and stands for the Naga issue is unacceptable and disrespectful to all Nagas across generations, Rio said.
‘Every Naga citizen is a direct stakeholder in the Naga aspiration for genuine peace and honourable solution. It is because of the contributions of all sections of the people, that the movement has reached thus far. The Naga history and culture have been recognised as unique and political negotiations are ongoing at the highest level,’ he said.
The CM further urged all to be practical, realistic, work collectively and send out the right message of oneness so that other sections also take the lead and forge unity.
With regard to the medical college in Mon, he informed that primary works have started, and the major works will be carried out from this fiscal year (2023-24).
On the threat of illegal immigrants faced by the state, he said in order to completely curb the possibility of issuing fake indigenous inhabitant certificates and protecting the rights of the indigenous people of the state, the government is in the process of taking several administrative and structural measures for strengthening the procedure for identification, scrutiny and issue of the Indigenous certificate.
Giving details about the recent firing incident, Rio said the Isak Sumi-led NSCN resorted to firing on the premises of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell of Khango-led NSCN (K) on March 18 at Thilixu village.
On receiving the information, the personnel from Diphupar police station rushed to the spot and immediately swung into action to diffuse the tension.
Subsequently, the Isak Sumi cadres fled from the scene. In this connection, a criminal case has been registered at Diphupar Police station, he informed.
The matter has been taken up with the chairman of Ceasefire Monitoring Supervisory Board (CMSB), who has officially communicated that Isak Sumi-led NSCN (K) is “not” a recognised group, he said.
Unauthorised arm movement of such groups in and around Nagaland has been prevented and necessary action has been taken as per the law in connection with the firing incident.
‘Accordingly, scrutiny measures are taken and therefore this sudden spur-of-incident should not be considered as a breakdown of the law and order situation in the state. The law and order situation in the state at present is quite normal and peaceful,’ Rio said.
Meanwhile, NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon said factional clashes should not be undermined and the minister-in-charge is expected to issue a statement when any such incident happens in the future.
With regard to the Trans-Nagaland Expressway (Foothill road), the chief minister said he had written letters to the prime minister and even met the Union Transport minister on several occasions. The road project will be taken up phase-wise since the Centre cannot sanction the funds, he said.
‘The detailed project reports for phase I and II have been submitted and are waiting for approval to be executed. The road stretch from Tizit to Khelma is about 320 km. Since it is phase-wise, the exact number of km cannot be determined,’ he added.
The chief minister laid the annual administrative reports 2022-2023 of the various departments on the floor of the house on third day of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
He laid the annual administrative reports of Geology and Mining; Labour; Evaluation; Art and Culture; Science and Technology; Municipal Affairs; Water Resources; Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services; Urban Development; Excise and Prohibition; State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT); Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA); Planning and Coordination; Border Affairs; Public Health Engineering and Cooperation; Rural Development; and State Institute of Rural Development.
Rio also laid the Nagaland Information Commission Annual Report 2020-2021; Nagaland Information Commission annual report 2021-2022; audit report of Samagra Shiksha for the year 2021-2022 and the Nagaland State Disaster Management Rules 2011, an update from DIPR stated.
The CM further moved that leave be granted to introduce the Nagaland Goods and Services Tax (Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Nagaland Fire and Emergency Services Bill, 2021.
The House agreed to introduce the two Bills, it added.