Chizokho Vero
Kohima | August 17
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Nagaland from October 27 to 29, 2003, was considered as “a journey for peace.”
He conveyed to the Nagas that the Centre was sincere and serious about finding a solution to the vexed Naga political problem. “We fully respect your identity and it will be protected,” he said.
Attired in colourful Naga traditional finery, Vajpayee in his address at the civic reception in Kohima said, “I am convinced that there is an overwhelming desire among the Naga people for permanent peace. The central government has an equally strong desire for permanent peace in Nagaland, based on a lasting solution, with honour and dignity for its people.”
In his optimistic note, he said, “If we continue to work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust, understanding and patience, the day is not far when we will reach the goal.”
He reiterated that all sections of the Naga society would have to be involved in finding a final solution to the vexed Naga political problem. Vajpayee also expressed the Centre’s willingness to talk with any organization that is prepared to give up the path of violence. “The Centre is willing to have talks with all those who are ready to give up the gun culture, and choose the path of dialogue,” Vajpayee said.
He gave a clarion call to the Naga people saying that time has come to leave the sad chapter of conflict and violence, and adding “in spite of remaining tied to the past, we have to take care of the present and look for the future. This is time for reconciliation and peace-making.”
He also said the Centre does not wish to impose any external customs on the Nagas and they have nothing to fear. “My government has been doing everything possible to stop this bloodshed, so that we can together inaugurate a new era of peace and prosperity in Nagaland.”
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio addressing the civic reception asserted that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first prime minister who has made genuine and sincere efforts to bring peace to the Naga people by taking extra steps, adding that Vajpayee has recognized the uniqueness of Naga history and the situation in this area.
Hello!
During his visit, Vajpayee officially launched BSNL’s mobile service in Nagaland and made the first call to the then union minister of communications Arun Shourie at New Delhi.
“Hello, Shoureiji, I am happy to bring Nagaland on the mobile phone map of India by making this first call to you. The people of Nagaland had been waiting for this day for quite some time, But, as they say, Der aaye durust aaye (Better late than never).
Arunji, I must confess that I don’t know how the mobile phone technology works! But I know that- it is all about talking. It is all about connecting people. It is all about removing distances. And it is all about making life better. Therefore, today my message to the people of Nagaland is: Let the talks continue. Let the dialogue proceed. Let distances be removed. Let confidence be built. And let us together create peace and accelerate development.”
Vajpayee travelled by road
Vajpayee had to travel by road along National Highway- 39 from Dimapur to Kohima (74 Km) due to bad weather. Out of Rs.1050 crore economic package announced by him to accelerate socio- economic development in the state, Vajpayee announced Rs. 400 crore for a four lane highway between Dimapur and Kohima.
While speaking of roads in Nagaland, he said, “I had a first- hand experience. Mother nature wanted me to take the road journey from Dimapur to Kohima. I was told that, of all the roads in the state, this is the best. If this is the best, it is difficult to imagine how bad is the worst.”
This is a compilation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Nagaland from October 27 to 29, 2003, filed by this writer and Kops Krome and published in North East SUN November 15-30, 2003.
