Chizokho Vero
Kohima | March 6
COMPLETING THREE years in office today, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland promised to renew its energy and rededicate itself for the task ahead to fulfill the guarantee it has made to the people of Nagaland in the Common Minimum Programme (CMP).
“While congratulating ourselves for what has been achieved, let us not rest on our laurels, but let us renew our energies, and rededicate ourselves for the task ahead to fulfill the promises we have made to our people in our CMP not forgetting the long cherished goal of integration,” Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio told a function hosted at the State Banquet Hall.
We have a vision for our people, to motivate them, and help them to become productive, prosperous and responsible citizens and to survive as a vibrant society and a strong people, Rio said after releasing a book titled Three Years of Peace, Progress and Development of DAN Government.
In order to make the vision into reality, Rio sought cooperation from each and every individual to collectively strive for a better tomorrow, “constantly asking ourselves what we can do for our people.”
Referring to the many skeptics and wagging tongues about the durability of the coalition government, Rio said, “I do not think there is any serious debate now on whether the DAN government would complete its remaining terms in office. I think we are firmly and safely on course for a second term in office two years hence.”
Stating that the most important agenda of DAN, as reflected in CMP, was to secure an honourable settlement to the Naga political issue in a manner acceptable to the people, Rio said that as soon as it took over the reigns of the government, “we lost no time in constituting the Consultative Committee for Peace to chalk out the government’s policy and strategy for facilitating a peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue.”
The government had also constituted DAN Sub Committee for Peace. Rio also gave due credit to I. Imkong, Leader of Opposition and the Congress legislators for their readiness to work hand in hand with the government in the search to find peace with honour for the Nagas.
“Another significant development on this front is the formation of cabinet sub committee by the UPA government at the centre to upgrade the Naga peace talk to the political level, and take it forward, Rio said.
In spite of several hiccups and divergence of views at times, the ceasefire has been not only on place, but further extended, bringing much relieve to the people, he said.
Rio said, the ongoing turf war amongst the UG groups had often resulted in unfortunate incidents of factional clashes and bloodshed, the law and order situation in the state has remained peaceful by and large.
The Chief Minister also strongly appealed to all underground brothers as well as over ground citizens of Nagaland to eschew all forms of violence and learn to live together unitedly.
“We must continue to adopt the part of forgive and forget and reconciliation and follow the healthy spirit of accommodating one another which is the only way for the Nagas to have a brighter future and to survive together as a people,” Rio said.
If we are not prepared for this, our future will be doomed and prosperity and history will never forgive us, Rio added.
Although, the final solution to the Naga political issue still eludes us, there is no denying the fact that the law and order situation in the state has witnessed considerable improvements during the last three years.
Rio said it had open door and brotherly approach to all underground groups, together with its policy of equi-closeness, has been one of the main factors for this relatively peaceful condition.
“Side by side, developments are taking place on all sectors at a pace never seen before. The relatively peaceful atmosphere has enabled the people to gradually run away from gun culture to work culture, and to concentrate on economic development,” Rio said.
We can now see a flurry of activities in various fronts- in economic, social-cultural, sports and entertainments etc, he said adding the people are now more forward looking and eager to venture out of their self-imposed cocoons of the past.
Morung Express News
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