EMN
Dimapur, March 3
Lone Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio called upon all parliamentarians to support and resolve the Naga peace process which he said is a pre-India independence one especially when Naga nationalists are willing to be peaceful citizens.
Participating in the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Rio appreciated Prime Minister Narender Modi for taking a bold step to resolve the Naga political issue “which is more than seven decades old by signing the historic framework agreement on 3rd August, 2015. Rio also highlighted the plight of the tribals in Manipur in the aftermath of the Manipur Assembly passing three Bills on 21st August, 2015 against the wishes of the tribals. He informed that agitations against the three contentious bills had resulted in the death of nine lives and even after 184 days, the dead bodies are yet to be given the last rites and buried. He called upon the Government of India to resolve the issue through consultations so that burial of the departed can take place.
The MP also lauded the role of Home Minister Rajnath Singh for his efforts in making the framework agreement a reality.
He said that he was speaking on behalf of all Nagas not just in Nagaland but in Manipur, Arunachal and Assam as he happens to be the only Naga MP in Parliament at present.
For every problem there is a solution, Rio said adding ‘we deserve peace and we desire that we be given equal opportunity to be partners in our great country’s development.’
Rio quoted Prime Minister Modi, who had stated that “the Naga courage and commitment are legendary and equality they represent the highest levels of humanity”. Rio further reminded that successive Prime Ministers had met and held talks with the Naga leaders and it was former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who had recognised the uniqueness of Naga history. He also acknowledged that it was during the Congress government under Prime Minister Narashimha Rao that the Naga problem was recognised as a political problem.
On President’s address, the Naga MP highlighted some of the successful initiatives of the NDA Government under Prime Minister Modi like Make in India, skill India, smart cities, digital India, start-up India, rurban mission, PM Mudra Yojana and Swachh Bharat amongst others. “Massive infrastructure investments in roads, railways, power, housing, etc have enabled India to leapfrog 16 places from 71st position to 55th position as per the rankings of the World Economic Forum”, Rio said.
The MP highlighted that India has virtually surpassed super powers and economic giants to become the world’s fastest growing economy by the projection of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as India stands at 7.5 percent growth whereas China is pegged at 6.8 percent and the United States stands at 2.8 percent as per IMF figures. He observed that it is a matter of pride for India that we are moving towards huge progress.
Welcoming the positive developments taking place all over the country, he drew the attention of the House and the government towards the north eastern region which suffers from huge infrastructure deficits especially in the sectors of education, health care and connectivity which are coupled with the challenges of insurgency, difficult terrain, and limited economic activities.
He agreed with Prime Minister who had stated that unless northeast is developed, India is not developed, and India will only gain if northeast gains. “We hope the Prime Minister’s concern and commitment to develop the north east will be fulfilled sooner than later”, he said.
Rio also lauded the ambitious foreign policy of the Prime Minister where he had toured 37 countries to attract global investment through the Make in India campaign. This has resulted in 39 percent increase in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Rio said, despite a global economic slowdown.
Supporting the motion of thanks, Nagaland MP welcomed the President’s statement that “we will all be partners in the progress and development of our great country”.
