Y Patton said a one-year interim setup will be created for Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation areas before elections under the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority plan.
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DIMAPUR — Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton on Friday said that an interim arrangement would be put in place for the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) areas for a period of one year, after which elections would be held once all related issues are resolved.
Patton was speaking to media persons at Dimapur Airport upon his return from New Delhi following the signing of the historic tripartite agreement for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
When asked about the key provisions of the agreement, Patton said that details would be made public through official documents, adding that the agreement has already been accepted by both the Centre and the state government.
The MoA was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and an ENPO delegation led by its president.
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Patton expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for their support and guidance in finalising the agreement.
Responding to a query on whether the Union home minister had agreed to appoint an interlocutor at the ministerial level for Indo-Naga talks, Patton said that such an arrangement had been agreed upon, but clarified that existing interlocutor AK Mishra would not be removed.
He added that during a meeting with the Union home minister on the morning of February 5, prior to the signing of the agreement, it was assured that the Naga political dialogue would continue through a political framework, and that a Union minister of state may be appointed for the purpose.
On the show-cause notices issued to two contractors in connection with the Foothill Road project, Patton said the matter falls under the purview of the Minister for Roads and Bridges, but appealed to the department concerned to take up the project at the earliest and ensure its timely completion.
Foothill Road issue
Responding to questions concerning the Foothill Road in Lotha Range, Minister for Roads and Bridges Kaito Aye said that the delay had taken longer than expected.
Aye said he would personally inspect the entire stretch of the Foothill Road to assess the situation on the ground and informed that the inspection would begin on February 7.
Regarding the show-cause notices, the minister said that further action would be taken only after his inspection and after receiving responses from the contractors.
He added that the inspection would help determine whether the delay was due to land-related issues, local factors or shortcomings on the part of the contractors.
Asked whether the Foothill Road construction would proceed as per the department’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) amid reports of attempts to influence road alignment, Aye responded that he had left the matter entirely to the department and stressed that the project must be executed without interference.
While appreciating the interest shown by various stakeholders, Aye maintained that excessive involvement sometimes hampers the system.
He reiterated that responsibility must remain with the department and that the Foothill Road must be completed on time.
On the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), Aye said that the committee has representation on one of the boards associated with the project. He clarified that the department is not opposed to the committee, but observed that overlapping of roles had occurred at times.
Underscoring that the project is meant for public benefit, the minister said that he holds no bias against the NFHRCC or any other group and appealed for cooperation from all sections.