‘Can they deliver with two regional mottos in one basket?’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 25
Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha Member Supongmeren Jamir questioned the recent merging of the NDPP with the NPF, asking if the amalgamation of the two regional parties’ manifestos would deliver at all.
“They have placed two regionalist mottos in one basket, I wonder if they can really deliver on their pledge for justice, peace and development,” he said responding to a query from the media on the sideline of a programme in Dimapur, on October 25.
Facilitating solution to the Naga political problem was also cited as one of the primary objectives of the merger. On this, Jamir said that they should live up to their words. However, he said that the brand of regionalism championed by the two parties will eventually face problems.
He was critical of the Narendra Modi-led government unable to come up with a solution even with two agreements already signed— Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM), and Agreed Position with the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs). He asserted that if the government of India continues to neglect the issue, it will linger on.
He said that the state of limbo has only served to create more Naga Political Groups. “The only solution is that the ‘opposition-less’ government has to be very sincere, the public has to be united and the Government of India has to immediately give a solution,” he asserted.
He questioned the justification for an “opposition-less government” by the current dispensation in the state. “My question is whether it is for bringing Naga Solution, or for political advantage?” he asked.
On the maintenance of National Highways, the Dimapur to Kohima four-lane in particular, he held that that the NHIDCL gets enough funds, while contractors have insurance cover. While stating that land owners alone should not get the blame, he demanded that the state government, as the “responsible guardian” must come up with better policies, besides clearing land compensation claims.
Commenting on the proposed Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA), he said that with the commencement of the Tripartite Talks between Delhi, Nagaland state government and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation, the issue should be resolved.
With regard to the encroachment of railway land in Dimapur, he said that the onus lies with the state government to clear the encroached lands. He informed that the Northeastern Frontier Railway has identified 92 areas as encroached, and which needs eviction.
He was further asked on the Congress party’s prospect in the 2028 Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections. Jamir, who is also the President of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, replied that his party’s secular character will draw voters.
