Central teams begin visit of Eastern Nagaland areas

One of the MDC teams which began its visit of Eastern Nagaland areas on September 10. (DIPR Photo)

 

•    Aims to look into special development needs of Eastern Nagaland
•    Tribe bodies assert MDC should not be in lieu of statehood demand

 

Morung Express News
Kiphire | September 10

A Multi Disciplinary Committee (MDC) constituted by the Government of India began its journey across Eastern Nagaland today to acquire firsthand knowledge of development activities in these areas. 

The aim of this visit is to reportedly look into the special needs of the districts of Eastern Nagaland, interact with the people, look into the developmental issues, and to get to know the ground reality. 

The committee, split into two teams, managed to visit Seyouchung, Tamlu, Thonoknyu and Tobu on September 10, with the trip set to last till September 12. 

During the public meetings, civil society organizations and tribe bodies from the areas submitted copies of a memorandum to the team stating that the “Multi Disciplinary Committee for development of Eastern Nagaland should not be in lieu of the ENPO State demand under any circumstances.”

The memorandum stated that due to “the legacy of century gap in all development sectors and lackadaisical attitude that is ever developing, remaining in the same state has multiplying affects to the disadvantage of the people of Eastern Nagaland.”

It pointed out that the “economy, social and political upliftment of our people is very limited in scope.” The memorandum thus made clear that “no matter what the offer and redressal that may be,” the Multi Disciplinary Committee for Development of Eastern Nagaland “should not be lieu of our State demand.”

In Seyouchung, the MDC comprising of Ranbir Singh; HC Mandal, Chief Engineer, NH; Anjana Dubey from Financial Services; and Deepak Chunduka, Telecommunications interacted with NGOs, leaders and locals from the surrounding villages. 

The team made clear that the purpose of the visit was to get first-hand knowledge of development and “it does not have any political intention behind the visit.” 

Speaking at the public meeting, DC Kiphire, Sarita Yadav urged the central team to give special emphasis in the fields of telecommunication, agri-allied sector, roads, health, tourism and education.

Here, the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) submitted the memorandum to the visiting officials. 

At Tamlu, Dr. Ashoke Roy, Director, RRC, NE, H&FW expressed happiness on visiting the remote places and meeting its people. According to a DIPR, Roy referred to the potential that lies in this region and acknowledged the zeal and the participation of the community to be a part of development. 

Roy expressed optimism that data collected by the team would enable it to put up the correct picture before the Government of India, thereby facilitating the framing and implementation of proper schemes for overall growth of the area. He further noted that there is a huge potential to increase income in the area through tourism. 

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the Phom Peoples Council, former Executive Secretary, PBCA, Nuklu Phom presented the overall scenario on roads, educational institutions, hospitals, power source, etc within Eastern Nagaland. He meanwhile also submitted the memorandum to the team. 

The Pastor of Shaophen Tamlu Town Baptist Church also spoke and apprised the MDC on the overall situation of the Tamlu area. Deputy Commissioner, Longleng Shayung Phom chaired the programme. 

The visiting MDC here comprised of five members--Dr. AP Maheshwari, Chairman & Special Secretary (Internal Security); Kabilan, Director, NITI Aayog; Dr. Ashoke Roy, Director, RRC, NE, H&FW; Arjun Srivastava, DDG (HRD), Tourism; and Ajay Kumar, Drinking Water & Sanitation.  

At Thonoknyu, the team held a meeting at Community Hall with the department officers and representatives of the tribal bodies/civil society organization and public leaders. Earlier the team was accorded a reception by the Village Guards at Thonoknyu Helipad ground.

Meanwhile in Tobu, the team held a joint meeting with administrative officers, police officers, and officials of several line departments along with representatives of the tribe bodies, civil society organizations and public leaders of Tobu. The team urged all officials to change their mindset while performing government duties and inculcate a work culture in order to benefit the district’s people in particular and the Nagas as a whole.