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Neiphiu Rio speaking at the Poanglüm Mini Hornbill festival in Tuensang town on Saturday.[/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 12 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday said that Nagas’ desire for peace and unity in the society could be achieved if “we unite our hearts and move forward together,” according to a press statement from the chief minister’s office (CMO).
Addressing the Poanglüm Mini Hornbill festival organised by the Chang Khulei Setshang at Loyem Memorial ground, Tuensang, Rio said that observing festivals was a good way of showing how our forefathers maintained their identity, tradition, culture, songs, dances, and indigenous sports. It also signifies the importance of preserving and promoting our rich heritage, he said.
Stating that Nagaland is a ‘land of festivals’, the chief minister said that tribal festivals should be observed in the districts; for which the concept of mini Hornbill festivals was envisaged and implemented. Poanglüm festival is the eighth of such mini Hornbill festivals to be held and other tribes, which have not yet observed their respective festivals, will also get the opportunity to observe it as a mini Hornbill festival.
Rio said that the government is providing grant-in-aid but the tribe hohos have to take ownership. These mini Hornbill festivals will eventually culminate in the main Hornbill festival and as such will give more credence to the adage “land of festivals,” the chief minister said.
Observing that Naga handloom and handicrafts, traditional cuisine, arts, crafts and music etc., need to be upgraded with proper training, Rio said that this will contribute towards uplifting the economy. “Your farm products can be put up in exhibitions. In such festivals, the exhibitions and sales are to open avenues for the local people by creating a market for local goods. Tourists will not only purchase but will also order if we work hard,” he opined.
The chief minister called upon the people to continue to work hard like our forefathers and enjoy the fruits of sweat and labour. He reminded that Nagas were different for which even the government of India had recognised our uniqueness; and that the Naga issue was not a law and order issue but a political issue which needs a political settlement.
Affirming that tourism is the biggest industry, not only in Nagaland or India but in the world, the chief minister said that Nagas have great potential in cultural tourism, rural tourism and eco-tourism. He highlighted figures from last year’s Hornbill festival at Kisama wherein the total number of tourists who attended the 10-day long festival was 2,51,701 out of which 2,11,602 were local tourists, while 37,397 were domestic tourists and 2702 were foreign tourists.
He said that tourists travel the world over to get a glimpse of different places and spend money and therefore, we need to promote our culture if we are to promote tourism. As such, observing festivals is not only good but also necessary, he reasoned.
Stating that in 2015, Tamil Nadu recorded an inflow of 33,34,59,047 domestic tourists thereby accounting for 23.3% share in the country and 46,84,707 foreign tourists which translates to 20.1% share of foreign tourist inflow into India, Rio said that the tourist inflow into Tamil Nadu was much more than the entire population of Nagaland.
“That is why I say there is vast potential for tourism in Nagaland. However, we need to have peace, communication, infrastructure etc., for which my government is working towards this end,” he said.
Highlighting the ‘quantum jump’ Nagas have made from headhunting to embracing Christianity and education, the chief minister stated that the earlier mindset of “might is right” has now evolved into “right is might”. As such, the Naga political issue is under dialogue with the negotiating parties looking for a peaceful, honourable and inclusive settlement, he stated.
Lauding the Chang community for their camaraderie with the other tribes, Rio hoped that love, harmony, cohesiveness, unity and reconciliation would prevail in Naga society. “Nagas will be extremely progressive when there is such level of unity and cohesiveness everywhere. Our slogan during the last general elections was ‘Change Is Coming’ and we are doing our best to bring change for the better,” he shared.
The chief minister also spoke on the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, according to the CMO statement. “He wondered how and why the NPF was silent when the Bill was introduced in July, 2016 and questioned whether the NPF was silent at that time since it was in alliance with the BJP then. He expressed surprise that the NPF had raised its voice only now.”
Rio pointed out that the Cabinet had on June 5, 2018 and Jan. 7, 2019 discussed the Bill. “Rio said that Nagas and Nagaland state are protected under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873 and the Inner Line Permit regulations. The 16 Point Agreement through which we attained statehood, also clearly states in clause No. 16 that with regard to Inner Line Regulation, the rules embodied in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1973, shall remain in force in Nagaland,” the statement quoted Rio as saying.
He ‘urged the people not to be misled by the views of opposition parties especially when the Bill has not even been passed in the Rajya Sabha for which there is still time to review.’
“He reaffirmed the Cabinet’s decision that the Bill in its present form needed review and expressed solidarity with those communities who will be affected if the bill becomes an act,” it stated.
“The Bill has not even been passed. I do not know what the opposition is trying to portray. The Cabinet resolved to propose adoption of a resolution reaffirming all provisions of Article 371 (A) and to strengthen the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) as per Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, (BEFR) of 1873 in the next session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly. We had also resolved to discuss with all political parties as well as with all stakeholders. NPF and BJP were alliance partners in 2016 and were running the state government. During their time, the NPF did not oppose it. Only now when we are doing our best, they are trying to confuse people,” the chief minister said.
Rio also affirmed that the state government is studying the “ground realities and the effectiveness of ILP” in the state, particularly in the foothills of Dimapur. The chief minister also noted public opinions of having a law which will forfeit Naga women of their tribal status if they marry non-Nagas, the CMO informed.
“He however added that these need thorough discussions in the Assembly.”
Rio added that Nagas should look towards positivity and not try to pick out issues or play blame games. “We should forgive, forget and promote unity so that we can automatically be developed with a bright future for our people, particularly the youths,” he said.
