DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 14 (MExN): Former Odhisa Governor, Dr SC Jamir said Nagaland is in the throes of a terrible crisis, one of the most serious since its formation, and therefore in need of a systematic overhauling.
“Insurgency-induced conflicts have over time been compounded by a combination of several disturbing factors. These factors-political, economic and social, often driven by narrow competing interests, coupled with naked corruption and massive youth unemployment have led to an incendiary situation in the State,” Dr Jamir said in a statement on Friday. According to the veteran Naga leader and politician, to overhaul the entire system in Nagaland, it has to begin from the roots. To start with, he suggested that commercialization and auctioning of precious votes during elections ought to be stopped completely.
Towards this end, the Churches in Nagaland ought to take up this righteous cause without any delay. The youth of the State also must raise their voice against this growing cancer, Jamir said.
Maintaining that peace and security are pre requisites for economic development, Jamir pointed out that development cannot thrive where there is deprivation and frustration of popular aspiration.
Good governance top most priority
Jamir said the topmost priority in Nagaland is to bring the entire administration and governance system back on the rails.
He said the machinery for maintenance of law and order must be strengthened and the police force in the State equipped properly to deal firmly with miscreants and law-breakers. To begin with, the opacity with which the present system is shrouded has to be lifted and transparency restored, he added.
Also stating that contact and communication with the people is the hallmark of good governance, Jamir suggested that this must be ensured by the ministers and officers in the field undertaking tours to the villages and explaining to the people how the government is working and how funds meant for development are being utilised.
He said strict monitoring of execution of projects and implementation of schemes by the political executive and senior bureaucrats will not only result in preventing leakages but also restore the confidence of the people in the administration.
Along with this, strict discipline in government offices through surprise checks by ministers and senior officers must be ensured.
Looking ahead-the Framework Agreement and beyond
On the Indo-Naga political issue, Jamir presumed that the framework agreement signed on the August 3, 2015 was within the boundaries of the Constitution of India.
Hence, any final agreement that would emerge will also not in any way disturb the system of governance under the Constitution; he said adding that whatever agreement is drawn up would be in expected to be in the best interests of the Nagas. Jamir also said the central government should be honest and bold enough to make public the full contents of the framework agreement to the people of Nagaland.
