EMN
Dimapur, March 30
State Home Minister, Y. Patton has today made a fervent appeal to the leaders of the Yimchunger Tribal Council (YTC) to attend the upcoming crucial ‘tripartite alks’ to be held on April 7 at Kohima. Addressing a mammoth public gathering here at the Shamator public ground, the Minister said the government and its machineries had been making every possible effort to see that all their Chang and Yimchunger brothers live peacefully as they had been living as one family. Mention may be made that earlier, leaders of the YTC had reportedly expressed their reluctance to attend the proposed ‘tripartite talks’ initiated by the government.
The government initiated the ‘tripartite talk’ to be held with the two tribes – The Chang and the Yimchunger – to find amicable and lasting solution to their problems.
Acknowledging the roles played by various mass based civil societies including Chang Khulie Setshang (CKS) and YTC, church leaders, district administration, police and individuals in bringing normalcy in the areas in the wake of recent unfortunate incidents between the Chang and Yimchunger tribes in Tuensang, Patton appealed to the leaders of the YTC, who were also present in the huge public meeting to attend the upcoming ‘tripartite talk’ for the larger interest of the Chang and Yimchunger tribes in particular and Nagas in general.
“I make this special request to YTC leaders that please come and attend the upcoming tripartite talks and share your problems there,” he said.
“After sharing with whatever you have in your mind, we will take decision as to how we will move forward for amicable and lasting solution to your problems.”
The Minister also expressed his deep pain at the recent development within the NSCN (K) and called upon all the Naga national workers to seriously work for “reconciliation and unity” among them. “Without unity, we cannot achieve a lasting and permanent peace in our land,” he said.
The Minister, who was accompanied by local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary for CAWD, Economics & Statistics R. Tohanba, Deputy Speaker NLA, Levi Rengma and high ranking police officials from the district, Tokiumong, DIG (R/NAP), RV Ezung, SP, Rhovisie, Commandant, 3rd NAP, also called upon the Yimchunger people to create peaceful environment in the region so that government’s development progress continued unhindered.
“Peace is pre-requisite for all round development,” he said adding that the government would always continue to provide developments in the areas and the people in the areas should not only extend cooperation but also create conducive environment for the development to take off smoothly.
Tohanba, Levi, YTC President Keozhe also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier in the day, the Minister also laid a foundation stone for “Langa Bridge” and sought cooperation from the people in the area to see that the construction work of the “Langa Bridge” should not be disturbed from any angle.
Tohanba said the "Langa Bridge" would be the lifeline of the Yimchunger people. At present, a pathetic wooden bridge is there but in rainy season, it will be difficult for vehicles to ply. "I think once the bridge is constructed, there will a sea change in the areas," he said.
