‘Not time to criticise but time to give views’

EMN Dimapur, October 1 Chief Minister TR Zeliang has said that Ao Senden, the apex tribal body of the Ao Nagas, being one of the most cohesive bodies of the Nagas, should show the way to go forward to the Naga people especially in the backdrop of the Naga Peace Accord signed between the government of India and the NSCN (IM) and given the determination of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to solve the protracted Naga political problem. Interacting with officials of the Ao Senden this evening at Mokokchung, Zeliang said that this is not the time to criticise each other or find fault with each other, but time to give views and opinions on how soultions should be brought about. “The Prime Minister has stated not only in the country but also outside country to the world that he is determined to solve the Naga political problem not through armed confrontation but through peaceful negiotations”, the chief minister said referring to the Dubai Declaration of the PM earlier last month. In a statement issued by Media Cell, CMO, Zeliang said, “It is time for the Nagas to speak out what is in their minds, how they want their political destiny to be shaped. The best of opportunities has come to the Naga people now since the present interlocutor enjoys a better and closer relatiosnship with the Prime Minister than the earlier interlocutors Padnamanbhaih or RS Pandy enjoyed with the earlier Prime Ministers. Before the final agreement is signed, Naga should tell the Government of India as well as the NSCN (IM) what kind of solutions we want. It would be futile to criticise after any agreement is arrived at. That would be too late. And if we don’t find a solution to the Naga problem now, more and more underground factions might mushroom for all we know since the youths are liable to go astray if the present trend continues.” “And Ao Senden being one of the most cohesive tribal bodies of the Nagas, and also being one of the most erudite among the Naga tribes, should thoroughly deleberate on the issue, and show the Nagas the way to go forward, “ the Chief Minister opined. He also clarified on the controversy surrounding Rani Gaidinliu and the construction of the Memorial Library-cum-Museum at Kohima saying, “The Governmnet of India is honouring her as a freedon fighter and not as a cult leader. Construction of the museum does not mean Heraka or Hinduism is being promoted. No matter what I or we say and do, we cannot change history and history is very clear about the role played by Rani Giadinliu against the British empire in the earlier quarter of the last centuary. She had spent some 14 years in British jails located in several parts of the Northeast and was freed only after India got Independence. She again went underground in the 1950’s and it was only in 1966 that SC Dev convinced her to come overground. From then on, succcesive governments of Nagaland had given her allowances, perks and privillages befitting a Cabinet – ranking Minister of the State. Sanction and approval of the Museum-cum-Memorial Library at Kohima was done in 2010, and the site was identified and alloted by my predecessor. Now, it would be wrong to say that I being from the same tribal community as Rani Gaidinliu, and trying to iconise her or promote her or Heraka. Organisations such as yours should first know the background or history of any issues and comment. Otherwise, commenting blindly may not be wise. It could prove embarrassing at times when the truth unfolds.“ The Ao Senden delegation, led by its president Imolemba Ao, has called on the Chief Minister who is enroute to Chuchuyamlang for tomorrow’s inaugural function of the Mahatma Gandhi Academy of Human Development, and had urged the Chief Minister to ensure that the Tuli Pulp & Paper Mill starts functionaning at the earliest. The Senden has voiced its concern over reported deduction of 1% of the proposed amount of Rs 489 crore from the Govt. of India by the Hindustan Pulp & Paper Mill lts. It pointed out that sanctioned of Rs 100 crore has been received but only Rs 40 crore has been utalized while the balanced amount of Rs 60 is still unutilised. The Ao Senden also requested the Chief Minister to upgrade the present 150-bedded Imkongliba Memorial Hospital at Mokokchung to 220- bedded hospital saying it caters to the needs of only Mokokchung, but also to the people of Longleng, Tuensang and Mon districts. The Chief Minister has agreed to put up the proposal for the same in the additional priority list of the governemnt under NLCPR.