Morung Express News
Yachem Village (Longleng) | May 2
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, today declared that the NPF party would win absolute majority in the next assembly and in this context urged the people under ENPO jurisdiction to vote for the NPF candidates.
The Chief Minister who was the chief guest at the inauguration programme of the newly created EAC headquarters, Yachem, on Wednesday took a dig at the Opposition Congress for “criticizing” the developmental and welfare activities undertaken by the NPF-led DAN Government.
While stating that the duty of the opposition is to point out the non-performance and other loopholes of the government, Rio however expressed surprise that the opposition Congress in Nagaland was acting contrary and said that in the recently concluded Assembly session, the Congress was criticizing the development and welfare activities initiated by DAN government including creation of new districts, RD Blocks and upgradation of administrative headquarters.
“They (Congress) are even shouting at us for constructing bigger and wider roads,” Rio said. He said since 2003, DAN government has been undertaking developmental activities in every nook and corner of the state, all due to the blessing of God and the goodwill and support of the people.
Rio said in the 49 years of Nagaland’s statehood, the last 40 years were “wasted years” as many development programmes could not reach the people though the state was getting maximum fund then. “The state and its people were backward then, we lacked ideas and we did not know how to give or how to receive,” he said.
But with the coming of the DAN government, Rio claimed that development has been accelerated in all districts, including the backward districts.
The Chief Minister said that since 1989 funding pattern has changed and now the state has to judiciously utilize funds as every single rupee is now accountable. He however said that despite financial constraints, DAN government was trying its best on the developmental front.
Stating that regional party is best suited to Naga people, he said that all along the NPF has been conscious of the “Naga identity” and the sufferings and aspirations of the Nagas, unlike national political parties with their “high command” oblivious to the plight of the common people.
“Even if we are under Indian union, we should maintain the Naga identity and Naga nationalism,” he added. He also reiterated that more than 60 years of Naga political struggle have not gone in vain as the whole world has come to recognize the Naga identity.
Referring to the backward districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng and Kiphire, Rio said that though these districts may be backward due to late-coming of education and development, yet the people of the four districts are not backward but have equal caliber as rest of Nagas.
Local representative of the area and Parliamentary Secretary for RD & REPA, Pangnyu Phom, who also hails from Yachem village, in his address said that Rio’s name would be forever etched in the minds of the Phom people for the latter’s love and concern for Phom people. Pangnyu said it was under Rio that Phoms were granted a separate district besides a host of other developmental activities.
Other highlights of the EAC headquarters inauguration programme included welcome note by “head barrick” (head GB) of Yanchem village, Moikum Phom, short speeches by DC Longleng and president of Phom People Council, folk tune by womenfolk of Yaongyimchen village and folk dance by Pongo village warriors.
The new EAC headquarters Yachem will cover six villages – Shia Yim, Noksosang, Yachem, Yaongyimchen, Alayung and Sanglu.
