Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi addressing the 11th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 19. (DIPR Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 19
The 11th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) commenced here today with the Governor’s address.
Nagaland Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi congratulated the members 13th NLA for coming together to form an opposition-less government (United Democratic Alliance), to pursue for early solution to the Naga political issue. He termed it as “one of the most beautiful illustration of everyone putting interest and welfare of the people and the state above anything else.
The governor expressed happiness at the efforts being made by the state government to improve people’s lives by providing better public services, development and more opportunities for livelihood.
“I also hear and echo the voice of the people of the state for an early settlement of the Naga political issue, which continues to take centre stage in our minds and hearts. We are aware of the significant positive developments that have taken place in the past few years,” he said.
He said that the government, as always, has been making every endeavour as a facilitator “so that all the negotiating parties are able to appreciate each other’s position and arrive at a solution which is honourable, acceptable and inclusive.”
He recalled that on March 9, a one-of-its kind consultative meeting was held on the Naga peace process with the participation from all the tribal bodies, civil society organisations, faith based organisations, women organisations, student bodies, and prominent personalities of the state along with the political parties and all the members the NLA.
The Governor said that a resolution was adopted in the meeting reiterating the Naga peoples’ yearning for an early political solution. The resolution further called upon all the negotiating parties to earnestly heed to the call and arrive at a political solution that is honourable, inclusive, transparent and acceptable to the people.
“It was also resolved to appeal to all sections to make renewed efforts towards unity and understanding in order to work towards One Solution and One Agreement,” he said.
He exuded confidence that, with the deepest concern being shown by everyone, “the long cherished solution will soon become a reality and a new era of peace and prosperity will begin in the state.”
Oting incident
Touching on unfortunate incident in the month of December 2021 where a firing incident by the security forces resulted in the loss of 14 innocent lives and serious injuries to several others in Mon district, he said, “The event caused outrage, and rightly so, in our state, and even in other parts of the country. My Government took every possible step to lessen the pain of the victim families. In addition to providing prompt succour in the form of monetary compensation, a job in the state government has also been given to the next of kin of all the deceased.”
The entire medical care needs of those injured were looked after by the District Administration, he said adding that the state government has also approached Government of India for taking up certain developmental projects in the affected areas which, besides providing assurance to the traumatized populace, will also help faster development of the area.
He further stated that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which was formed to conduct an investigation in the matter, has “worked at a good pace and has completed its investigation. The Army has also constituted a Court of Inquiry in the matter and it is also expected to complete its inquiry soon.”
Law and order situation
Prof Mukhi said that the general law and order situation in the state has remained, by and large, peaceful, and the district administration, police, and all the security agencies remain committed as ever for ensuring peace and harmony in the state.
At the inter-state borders also, situation remained peaceful except at two locations falling along the inter-state border in Mokokchung with Assam, which became tense due to stand-offs between the police forces of Nagaland and Assam, he said adding that “The situation was diffused in time by ensuring simultaneous withdrawal of the police personnel of both the states, after reaching a joint agreement.”
He also expressed happiness over the constitution of Select Committee by NLA headed by Chief Minister to examine and inter alia, find ways for amicable settlement of the Border Issue of the State with Assam, “and that the Committee has taken positive steps towards this end.”
Oil and petroleum exploration
Governor also expressed happiness to the state government for taking steps to resolve the issues with regard to oil and petroleum exploration.
“In response to the steps taken for resolving the issue, it is heartening to note that Chief Minister of Assam has positively indicated for equally dividing the proceeds of Petroleum and Oil exploration and extraction between the two states in sectors A, B & C in DAB area. We would continue in our steps, seeking cooperation of the Government of India and the Government of Assam for resolving the matter,” he said.
Outside the disputed area belt (DAB), he said, for exploration and extraction, the Government of India has to recognize the ownership for the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland and the constitutional protection granted to them under Article 371A of the Constitution regarding transfer of land and its resources, and thereafter devise a mutually agreed, suitable mechanism for payment of royalty and issue of Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs).
“We will continue in our efforts to resolve this matter for the benefit of the people of the state and the country,” Prof Mukhi said.
Elections for Urban Local Bodies
The Governor informed that Nagaland have been seized for long with the issue of elections for the Urban Local Bodies in the state.
“The matter had drawn sensitive reactions, as many considered that reserving seats for women is against our traditions and customs,” he said while noting that the March 9 Consultative Meeting has resolved to conduct the elections as per the 74th Amendment Act of the Constitution. “We should have duly elected bodies for governing our towns and cities, so crucial for public ownership of developmental decisions and sustainable improvement of civic amenities to our rapidly growing urban centres,” he said.
