Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 19
After a three day long discussion on matters of urgent public importance pertaining to the demand for Frontier Nagaland by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), the leader of the House Neiphiu Rio Chief minister of Nagaland on behalf of the 60 members of the House today appealed to the ENPO to reconsider their decision and to come forward to the government for discussions to see what is best for the welfare of the backward areas.
In his concluding remark on the floor of the House, Rio felt that all members of the House need to collectively decide and work out a solution. He felt that the House make a genuine appeal to ENPO to reconsider their decision and do not only withdraw their demand but also to come forward and strengthen the Naga society. Rio said that if they do that, they will be the champion of Naga unity.
Convinced that the House feels sad to concede to the demand of the ENPO, Rio said ‘Collectively we have come short, we collectively apologise, we collectively will work extra hard and we collectively request ENPO to withdraw their demand and come forward to discuss what is best for the development of ENPO areas and strengthen the Naga society’.
Rio also asserted that the present DAN government will extend special dispensation to ENPO areas.
“It is you and me to collectively decide and work out solution,” Rio said. He said that instead of quarrelling and blaming one another it is time we focus our attention to our future. The government has inserted unity above the state logo. We are for unity, reconciliation and integration,” he said.
Rio said the ENPO demand for Frontier Nagaland State, being a democratic country they have every right to submit memorandum to any agency. He said it is good that they have raised their grievances otherwise we will continue to be in dark and not take their grievances seriously.
While respecting the grievances of ENPO, Rio said he feels sad because whether good or bad, Nagas are a family and it would have been much better if the matter had been discussed within the family. He explained that the outside world recognise Naga as one tribe only. ‘We are one people, a small group of people and if we divide ourselves we are destroying ourselves only’, he remarked.
Stating that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has unanimously passed four times resolutions on integration of Naga contiguous area, Rio said that all this goes to show that we are one.
Rio also appreciated the Opposition Leader for speaking the truth when they said that all have collectively failed. He also said that all members spoke with sadness and regret over the issue and shows the remorse felt. Stating the issue as a misfortune as well as a blessing, Rio said that it has happened during the DAN government governance but at the same time felt that the issue is like an opportunity for corrective measures. He further added that the issue was brought to the notice of the House for collective discussion.
A committee was formed with Chief Secretary as chairman to look into the matter. It was felt that a Cabinet sub-committee should be set up in the health, education, agri and road sectors headed by the Ministers. These committees were set up to know and study grievances in various fields. He said that the Cabinet proposed for Autonomous Council for the four districts of ENPO area and was forwarded to the Central Government on 27th July 2011 by the Nagaland Chief Secretary. Rio said as leaders we should be responsible in our approach and requested the members not to politicise the issue.
Agreeing with the members, he said that all have fallen short and could not fulfil the expectations of the ENPO. Rio said the issue has been long neglected and stated that we have learned a costly lesson from this collective mistake.
Rio said it is not only the mistake of the members of the House but it is also the mistake of the civil societies, technocrats and bureaucrats, government servants and intellectuals. ‘We can address the ENPO issue collectively if we work together collectively’, Rio stated. To develop a society at least one or two generation has to work very hard, Rio said and further added that its time we change with positive attitude, discipline and with hard work State can be a developed State.
Earlier, Advisor DUDA, E.E. Pangteang spelled out the need for a common deliberation for a solution to the issue and said that the issue should not be handled emotionally. Minister for Power, Doshehe while endorsing the views expressed by former Speakers, said that the emergence of the demand for a separate State by the four districts is owing to failure of maintaining equilibrium in socio-economic development. He urged upon all concerned to put heads together to create a good avenue and supported the decision of the State Government for creation of Autonomous Council.
(With inputs from DIPR)
