Kohima | August 15 : Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today expressed satisfaction that the state is gradually emerging out of the long shadows of violence and turmoil and enjoying a relatively peaceful atmosphere the like of which has not been seen for decades and said this has been possible because of the overwhelming desire of the Naga people for peace.
In his message to the people on the occasion of the Indian Independence Day held at the Civil Secretariat Plaza here today, the Chief Minister conveyed the state government’s appreciation to the law enforcing agencies, NGOs, the tribal Hohos, the civil societies, the Church and the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) who, he said, have worked very hard to bring about reconciliation and unity among the Naga underground groups. “These collective efforts have brought about a relatively peaceful atmosphere in the state which we are experiencing today”, he stated.
Acknowledging that the Government of India’s ceasefire with major underground groups is holding well despite many difficulties, Rio today said this has given Nagas hope for a lasting and satisfactory solution to the Naga political issue.
He made a renewed appeal to both the Government of India and the underground groups to give their full commitment to the political negotiations so as to achieve this
long-cherished goal.
On the government’s behalf, he also conveyed deep appreciation to the police, the security forces, the central paramilitary forces and the district administration for the successful maintenance of law and
order. Regretting that the state however witnessed some unfortunate incidents of violence recently in Dimapur and Peren districts where some precious lives were lost and a few others injured, he condemned such acts of violence in the strongest of terms and appealed to all citizens to settle their differences through peaceful means.
The Chief Minister further reiterated the government’s stand to firmly deal with all kinds of extortion. He reminded that the government departments and business establishments have been advised to resist demands and to inform the police in confidence. Besides, he said, the government has also reduced the number of check gates on the highways so as to reduce inconvenience to travelers.
CM’s Independence Day speech highlights
Tribal Courts will be established in all the districts during 2011-12
Government embarked on a major restructuring of school education in Nagaland
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) will be established shortly at Dimapur
Initiated the process of establishing 5 new polytechnics at Phek, Wokha, Tuensang, Mon and Dimapur
329 KMs of road upgraded to 2 laning under NE Special Accelerated Road Development Programme
Government set up Quality Control Board to monitor the quality of all major infrastructure projects
Water pumping from Zarü water source to meet water requirements of the state capital
Under MGNREGA the wage rate has been enhanced from Rs. 100 per day to Rs. 118
During the current year, Rs. 40 crore will be spent under the Backward Regions Grant Fund
Government committed to achieve the vision of “Food for all by 2020”
56 Agri-link roads covering 280 kms are being constructed with NABARD funding
*Soil Testing Laboratories are being set up in all the districts to help farmers get their soil tested
*Warehouses with infrastructure like grading and packaging centres, cold room etc. under the 13th Finance Commission awards
*Health Helpline as a 24X7 call centre to provide easy access to reliable health information
* Providing old age pension to more than 40,000 people. Recently, the rate enhanced from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per month.
*Government to institute “Young Naga Achiever Award” from 2011 onwards
*Union Home Ministry temporarily lifted PAP for foreign tourists visiting Nagaland
* Art & Culture department planning to set up Rani Gaidinliu Library- cum- Memorial Museum
*New Employment Exchanges will be opened at Longleng, Kiphire and Peren
* Initiated Kohima Metro Ropeway project to reduce traffic congestion in Kohima town
*Construction of helipad at Alichen, Pfutsero, Longleng and Peren will be completed this year
*Surveys for creation of air strips in Mokokchung, Mon, Tuensang, and Meluri will also be taken up during the current year
*State implementing Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System
‘Further division will block future progress of Nagas’
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 15
Reminding that Nagaland is but a small state in the Indian Union, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted that further division of our state and our people will prove to be a serious stumbling block for the future progress of Nagas as a whole. Referring to the demand for a separate statehood (or Frontier
Nagaland) raised by the Eastern Naga Peples’ Organization (ENPO), the Chief Minister, in his Independence Day address to the people at the Civil Secretariat Plaza here today, expressed firm belief that the aspirations of the people from these districts can be met with empathy and magnanimity without creating an atmosphere of acrimony and mistrust.
Rio asserted that, recognizing the sentiments of the people of these areas, the government has decided to propose creation of an Autonomous Council for the four districts of eastern Naga areas and that while the subject is beyond the state’s competence, the state government has taken up the matter in all seriousness and deliberated on it at various levels.
Reasserting that further division will result in a serious stumbling block for the future of the Nagas, he reiterated the government’s resolution to stand by the four resolutions passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on various occasions, calling for integration of all contiguous Naga inhabited areas under one administrative umbrella.
“Since the Government of India knows what is best for the Naga people, we have requested them to give their decision at the earliest so that our people are not confused further”, he said adding, “for we already have multiple problems.
Meanwhile, Rio also sought to remind that the government has been trying to evolve a consensus on a few challenging issues that we face today. As part of these efforts, a state-level consultative meeting was held at Kisama in October last year with various civil societies, tribal hohos, prominent citizens and intellectuals on several important issues. And, while no consensus has emerged so far, these deliberations have been carried forward in subsequent consultations with all concerned stakeholders at the district and state levels, he reminded.
