Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated Shamator as the state’s 16th district at an official event held at the public ground, Shamator headquarters.
Shamator officially inaugurated as Nagaland’s 16th district
Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 4
The spirit of reconciliation and harmony that paved way for the creation of Shamator should guide the communities and the district in its new path as the 16th district of Nagaland, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said on Friday.
Addressing the official inauguration ceremony of the ‘brotherhood district’ at Shamator headquarter, Rio emphasised on maintaining peace and unity among the three communities that live in Shamator— Yimkhiungs, Tikhirs and Sumis.
Rio recalled that the initial demands for the creation of Shamator district, though justified, were made at a time when there was disharmony and conflicts between the communities. Seeing that the situation was ‘complicated,’ he said the state Cabinet during its meeting, agreed in principle to upgrade the subdivision into a district, on conditions that the tribal bodies of the area resolve internal differences.
He expressed appreciation to the tribal leaders who could come to an understanding and reconcile among themselves, thereby making the recognition of Tikhir tribe as well as district status for Shamator possible.
“This is a very good beginning—because of your unity, you’re now a district, so you need to strengthen it along with the bonds of brotherhood and show your capability, the potential and talents you have in the community and the youth,” Rio said.
He branded the new district as a “brotherhood district.”
Stating that it is a historic day, Rio called on the people to remember the pioneers who toiled for the creation of Shamator district, and move forward towards progress and development.
“Whether you’ll spend your time and money for solving problems or spend your time in quarrelling or you’ll give time and resources for development, is for you to decide,” he added.
Connectivity is top priority
Rio said that the top priority for the government is to improve connectivity to the district. In this regard, he said that works under the three phases of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), two-laning of the NH 202 passing through Shamator district, and the transnational highway from Showuba to Pangsa in Noklak which passes through Shamator are in progress.
Good roads make it easy for other forms of development to come in, the Chief Minister maintained, while calling on the MLAs, elected members, district administration, tribal leaders, etc., to identify the district’s problems and avenues for development and approach the government.
“Peace and harmony should reign. There shouldn’t be land disputes instead, give your land for developmental projects,” he reiterated.
Rio said the State Assembly will be sitting for the budget session on March 19, where it will discuss on how to bring development into the Shamator and other new district starting with the headquarters. Sharing some of the avenues that the government would be looking into, he said that the present ADC office areas, wherever possible, would be expanded into a secretariat-type complex so that all government offices are easily accessible.
For Shamator, he said, a multipurpose indoor stadium has already been sanctioned and asked the people to ‘give land’ so that work can begin at the earliest.
Rio said the district’s agriculture and allied activities are already well established and the government has decided to set up a cooperative bank branch in Chessore so that farmers and MSMEs in the region can get access to micro-financing and loan facilities to develop the sector.
Along with this, he encouraged the educated youths and drop-outs to seek employment in the tourism sector as tour guides and identify locations and historical places that can become tourist hotspots.
Further, Rio noted that the literacy rate in the district is 68.79 per cent which, he said, is good for a remote ‘backward’ area. According to him, Naga people as humans are not backward, however, some are economically backward, educationally backward and some are in remote places and considered backward.
In this context, he said the even in competitive exams, the people of Shamator district are doing well with many coming out in the merit list. “Your society is well educated and well aware of the activities not only as a state citizen, but also as national and international citizens,” he said, adding that there is so much capacity in terms of human resources.
To sum it up, Rio said that “Starting from this year, and before election we will see that development is visible and it reaches you. But to get that development I demand and I pray that peace and harmony, unity and brotherhood should remain in Shamator district.”
The same peace, harmony and brotherhood should also be propagated in all the other districts, he said, addressing the gathering which included of leaders from various Naga tribal organisations and hohos.
Earlier, Advisor for IPR and Village Guards, S Keoshu Yimkhiung who was the host, urged the people to coexist peacefully with everyone for mutual benefit. He added that society will move forward when peace exists, as per a DIPR report.
Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang, Kumar Ramnikant assured that the people of Tuensang would support Shamator and take on the role of a parent to the new district while DC Shamator Thsüvisie Phoji gave a brief profile of the district.
Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) president Nungsanglemba, Nagaland Commissioner Rovilatuo Mor and Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation G Kaito Aye also gave short speeches during the ceremony.
The occasion was also marked by cultural presentations performed by troupes from Sukiur ‘B’, Shiponger, Yakor, Pungro, Shamator, Anatongre and Wapher villages.
