Nagaland 2018: Neiphiu Rio returns to take centre stage in state’s politics

 

Morung Express News

Dimapur | December 30

The year 2018 was indeed eventful for Nagaland in many aspects; though ‘change’ as promised time and again remained elusive in the real sense of the word. But it was capped by triumphant return of Neiphiu Rio to state’s politics after an interlude in New Delhi.


In the political arena, different narratives emerged as the state prepared for the election to 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.


The ‘Solution before Election’ versus ‘Election for Solution’ played out early in January with the Core Committee of Naga Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) signing a joint declaration with 11 political parties in January 29. However, the momentum fizzled out and the state went to poll as scheduled on February 27.


When the results were declared, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which snapped ties with former ally NPF, formed the People Democratic Alliance (PDA) along with others.


It was sort of a homecoming for Rio, whose sojourn to Delhi seeking greener pastures by becoming a Member of Parliament proved to be ‘unproductive.’ He was eying a return to state politics and was often accused of allegedly creating political turmoil in the last tenure of the Naga People’s Front (NPF).


On March 8, he was sworn in as the 20th Chief Minister of Nagaland, his fourth stint as the Chief Minister.


In a first, Governor PB Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rio and his council of ministers outside of Raj Bhavan at the Khuochiezie, Kohima local ground with full public view.


Marking a highly ambitious first day in the office, the PDA government also promised conspicuous changes within a matter of 100 days in office.


Besides the 100 days deadline, the government effected slew of policy changes including a symbolic curb on VIP Culture and other measures. The appointment of Parliamentary secretaries was also discontinued.


One of the first key resolutions of the new ruling dispensation - to rename the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima to Dr T Ao Stadium, however, was received with negative feedback from the general public, resulting in its revocation. Other measures like the appointment of 20 Advisors to several state government departments and 13 party functionaries with Cabinet Minister or Minister of State status, also drew flak.


In May, NDPP’s candidate Tokheho Yepthomi bagged the bye-election to the lone Lok Sabha Parliamentary constituency further cementing Rio’s position.

KEY EVENTS IN 2018
 

January:

• An indefinite bandh began in Tseminyu area to press the demand for a full-fledged district headquarters.
• Patanjali Group enters Nagaland - foundation stones laid for an Engineering College, Para Medical & Nursing College, Ayurvedic College, Management College and a National Institute of Fashion Technology.
• The first ‘Naga Day’ commemorating the historic day of 10 January 1929, when the Naga Club — formed in 1918 to push for Naga unity — had submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission.

March:

• Two people from Nagaland were presented the Padma Shri Award - Lentina Ao Thakkar and M Piyongtemjen Jamir
• State listed among the 10 best birding destinations in the world by National Geographic
• Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) awarded the HCL Grant in the thematic category for health Nagaland Chief Minister
• Expenditure affidavits claim that less than Rs. 10 crore was spent by 158 candidates combined. On an average each candidate spent only around Rs. 6. 29 lakh

April:

• By-elections to lone State’s Parliamentary seats announced
• Row over Nagaland DGP
• An interactive mobile app - NagaFarmDoctor’, an app for android phones launched.

May:

• Gauhati High Court asked CBI to probe an alleged scam in the construction of the Nagaland High Court building
• Nagaland, on May 26, joined the 12 other mountain states and 2 hill districts in The ‘Himalayan Clean Up Campaign,’
• NDPP wins bypoll to Nagaland parliamentary constituency.
• HSLC/HSSLC results; Government school results continue to wilt below 50%

June:

• Fish laced with toxic formalin seized in Nagaland
• CM calls to commit for 'Plastic Free Nagaland' by Dec 1
• TJ Longkumer takes charge of DGP of Nagaland
• Nagaland's 1st online trade license application system launched
• Ad-hoc teachers agitate
• ENPO stands rally for Frontier Nagaland
• Women Helpline 181 launched in state.

July:

• Torrential rain causes widespread damage in Nagaland
• Springshed project to cover 100 villages in Nagaland
• Nagaland is most linguistically diverse state, Kerala the least: Report

August:

• Division in NSCN-K
• Nagaland among first States to start linkage child adoption
• CM opens Dashboard to monitor projects of state
• Mini Hornbill festival begins at Mokokchung

September:

• MLA Imtikumzuk passes away
• NLA adopts Resolutions on Indo-Naga political issue

October:

• 'Nagaland's Gandhi' Natwar Thakkar
• All 1122 Villages In Nagaland Declared Open Defecation Free
• Measles, rubella vaccination drive kicks off
• 'Best Horticulture State' Award for Nagaland
• Children's Film Bonanza began at RCEMPA Auditorium Jotsoma, Kohima
• Cop suspended, booked for taking seized drugs home
• 100 years of Naga Club observed.

November:

• Nagaland’s wish list submitted to 15th FC
• Nagaland inks MoU to setup e-GAN
• First full-fledged cabinet meeting takes place outside Kohima
• Amur Falcons arrives in state.
• Ban on fish import lifted

December:

• 55th statehood day
• Nagaland declared plastic-free
• 19th Hornbill Festival draws 2,51701 visitors
• Nagaland gets Rs. 131.16 cr additional disaster relief
• YouthNet report on Election expenditure says over Rs. 1061 crore spent
• Vice-Chairman of NSCN-IM of Gen (Retd) Kholi Konyak passed away
• Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF) holds Peace Rally on December 12 across state for early and honourable solution to Naga political issue.