(LEFT): ENPO officials singing ‘Moi khan jetebo’ (We shall overcome) at the concluding part of the ENPO organized ‘Mass public rally’ at Parade Ground, Tuensang on Friday, January 7, 2011. (RIGHT): A section of the audience at the Mass Public Rally organized by the ENPO at Parade Ground, Tuensang on January 7, 2011. (Morung Photos/File)
The ENPO has submitted a thirteen paged memorandum to the Prime Minister and State Government through Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang, stating a present socio-economic and political scenario based on historical facts of eastern Nagaland. Besides, herein I am to added some brief reasons why Eastern Naga are firmed demands for Frontier Nagaland: Though an article 371 A clause (i) sub-clauses (d), a special provision is INSERT IGNOREed by the Act of Indian Parliament to administer these area as a special instrument to look after the special needs of these area people under special status, there was no improvement, the area of Eastern region were negligence and stagnant of development so the peoples had the conception of what administration inefficiency in bringing development and incapable to cover the wider areas under only one administrative unit of Tuensang. So in order to bring effective administration and development in an efficient manner, carving out the Tuensang into three district of Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng was started and processed. But many Naga objected and opposed to create new districts of Longleng and Kiphire to bring development in these backward areas. I remember what an elder used to talk about the objection made by advance Naga. The districts of Longleng & kiphire were created out of Tuensang. All posts including ministerial jobs were filled-up by others. Government servants posted in the interior district of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, instead of special attention and time to give in these areas, they consider as opportunity and luck. Most of the times they remain in their cities than finds during the collection of salaries and DPDB session. To attest one piece of paper, one backward Naga is to wait whole month till DPDB session. For urgency or official needs, one public from Tuensang Mon Longleng kiphire used to go down in search of a place where the officer is resides. This is the experienced of eastern Naga.
Why eastern areas are less fortunate and denied of development. The reason are: Many central sponsored and flagship programmes are launched funded 100% by central government and some are of the 75:25 share funding pattern of central and state government but all are assigns to the state government to implement basing on grassroots realities. But because of the Government of Nagaland is handled by other fellow Naga in the eastern area, the burden and responsibility is too cost to carry the schemes satisfactorily in the interior region which adds wider gap in the development. The pilot project system are also launched in several times in phase-wise in a selected district of which first option in selection is goes to advanced districts and the backward areas are left in last option. Let me take to an example: Under PDS scheme, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched on Dec 25, 2000 for BPL families to avail a food grains at a subsidized rate. Annapurna Yojana (AY)was launched on March 1999 to provide 10 kg food grains to senior citizens who do not get pension (source: Indian Wizard polity & constitution). It went 9-10 years without issuing any BPL/AY card to the eligible families/persons. Only couple of years ago since it implements in the district HQ and in the village circle, only 50% were enrolled this year for the benefit on AAY/AY. Is it the responsibility of the legislators from eastern areas? Many writes up pointed to them. I am not saying they (MLAs/Ministers from eastern area) are good and able persons. They had have their own negligence too. But what I am to say is if they brought any problems/grievance in the assembly, are the Assembly/cabinet address/redress their problems? Can they own take up the matter granted? Who is holding power in to take final decision? Who is in the bureaucrats, officers and who is the contract to do for this backward area when a small thing is granted in the assembly? The questions & answers are known by everyone. If the proposed schemes are delay and neglect in the specific area while the same are implementing in other districts, the backward districts would never come at par with the forward.
It is very much appreciable hearing one NGO announced last week about the latest being launching centrally sponsored programme of “Finance Inclusion Scheme” on pilot basis to avail loan to public through VDB under RD and being selected the two most backward and youngest districts of Longleng and Kiphire as first privilege. I did not see the printed written. If it is true, Thanks to Nagaland Government. But it’s too late.
Regarding the employment and reservation: If at least equal representation policy for the public services has adopted, a backward tribes can also come a little forward. Because of the lack of education, no person from the eastern tribes could come qualify at the level of general category. If one is hardly qualified is allotted to the reserved quota. Therefore eastern peoples are ends off to 25% of which 12.5% is less than to equal ratio of 37.5% for six tribes.
Coming to the infrastructural lack in the eastern area: There are no financial and credit institutions like Nagaland Rural Bank, Industrial Development Bank of India, Axis Bank, United Commercial Bank, NABARD, Regional Rural Bank and ICICI than have the single SBI Branch in each district and one each of Nagaland Cooperative Bank in three district of Kiphire, Tuensang and Mon. (Source: Statistical Handbook 2008).
Roads and connectivity is the most important prerequisite and fundamental for human sustenance. Connections like electric connection, health infrastructure, educational infrastructure, transport facilities and even mobile and internet networks are building through road networks. But road conditions in these interior areas are pitiable. Only NH-155 is slightly touched Tuensang kiphire and the rest district HQs has merely touched by state road. The road once poorly constructed in this area has not been maintained. Vehicle in these area plies through dusty in winter and muddy in summer. One may make fun to hear that to reach one’s own HQ it takes two-three days normally on foot. Notwithstanding the government have launched many programmes as early as and like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) which was launched on 25th Dec 2000 to connect all the villages that has unconnected during the last programmes in the country yet the eastern Nagaland remains the same. If one dead in other town, the dead coffin is carried in bamboo kan by men in the age of FLIGHT.
Rural electrification was taken in India as early as 1951 from first five year plan with the objective of “electricity for all”. In order to electrify all the villages, a new initiative called Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY) was introduced in 2000-01 and begun in tenth plan i.e. 2002-03. But till now there is no electricity in many parts of the area in spite of the attempt made by central government. Outdated empty electric post has stands which were made during the fourth and fifth five year Plan. We approached and attempted many times to the concern department of Nagaland but no redresses is so far made. Thus rural peoples in these area remains in darkness while the other are holds the globe in single hand by power.
Coming to the educational drawbacks in eastern Nagaland, NPE 1968, NPE 1986, National Literacy Mission and the World vision of education for all becomes a nightmare and the RTE value is lost. The No. of Primary School, middle school, high school and college altogether is less than the No. of institutions has in one advanced distr ict. Single teacher school in primary level is common. A single teacher teaches in two-three classes at the same period in fact the teaching learning process between the two affects neither. Students are feeling pity and so send it up to next class and at last they become a gang of drop out boys and girls. It was shocked that when the advertisement was made for the post of teacher by the mass superannuation, the total No. of post from all the eastern district of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire are less then the No. of post in one advanced district. By reasons it has shown the step-motherly dealing by the state government when there is a surplus teacher in the advanced places. Every year results are in nil in most part of the schools initiated by government in eastern area. There is no single institute of IT, Law and other technical that provide provisional courses. In a single college in each district, there is no any best streams, best subjects, and subject honours to which students can opt is to bite what is offer few. The impact is incompatible with the rest and become no prospect. Literacy rate is quite low compare to other districts.
Health in eastern area of Nagaland is totally unsatisfactorily. There are no basic Labs, simple diagnosis and treatment tests like EEG, EMG etc. No medicines, poor infrastructure, inadequate doctors and nurses in the health centre and hospital. If an epidemic is occur at a particular time, the fate is only to grave. Drinking water and sanitation are the basic necessities of life and nearly 80% of the common diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water. Denial of both drinking water and sanitation has so far reaching damaging effect on the health. Drinking water facilities is absolutely neglected thus by have no safe sources of water. The proper sanitation and human waste disposal facilities in many parts of eastern area is totally nil.
If the government who matter in the officialdom are not all from advanced areas, and practice without outright nepotism, favouratism and discrimination upon the backward people, the eastern people of Nagaland would have also grow equally or should have no wider gap between advanced and backward districts. Even in the department of DUDA, all decision making is driven by advanced Naga.
Regarding the reconciliation, peace and unity process, today, the ENPO are not demanding statehood to interrupt or in against this peace process calling by the Naga. It is very much appreciated. The achievement of peace is when equal opportunities, equal priviledges, equal development and equal joy in the face is seen. One can not brave with an empty stomach nor can call peace when a neighbour is in the flame. Eastern Naga becomes a loser in Nagaland.
And thus so felt the problems faced in the last long run administrating with other advanced groups of the state the mentioned reactionary regime gave rise to a good deal of discontent in the minds of eastern districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire demanding full-fledged state for a separate channel for socio- economic upliftment and politically to avail a privilege of fundamental democracy.
Why eastern areas are less fortunate and denied of development. The reason are: Many central sponsored and flagship programmes are launched funded 100% by central government and some are of the 75:25 share funding pattern of central and state government but all are assigns to the state government to implement basing on grassroots realities. But because of the Government of Nagaland is handled by other fellow Naga in the eastern area, the burden and responsibility is too cost to carry the schemes satisfactorily in the interior region which adds wider gap in the development. The pilot project system are also launched in several times in phase-wise in a selected district of which first option in selection is goes to advanced districts and the backward areas are left in last option. Let me take to an example: Under PDS scheme, Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) was launched on Dec 25, 2000 for BPL families to avail a food grains at a subsidized rate. Annapurna Yojana (AY)was launched on March 1999 to provide 10 kg food grains to senior citizens who do not get pension (source: Indian Wizard polity & constitution). It went 9-10 years without issuing any BPL/AY card to the eligible families/persons. Only couple of years ago since it implements in the district HQ and in the village circle, only 50% were enrolled this year for the benefit on AAY/AY. Is it the responsibility of the legislators from eastern areas? Many writes up pointed to them. I am not saying they (MLAs/Ministers from eastern area) are good and able persons. They had have their own negligence too. But what I am to say is if they brought any problems/grievance in the assembly, are the Assembly/cabinet address/redress their problems? Can they own take up the matter granted? Who is holding power in to take final decision? Who is in the bureaucrats, officers and who is the contract to do for this backward area when a small thing is granted in the assembly? The questions & answers are known by everyone. If the proposed schemes are delay and neglect in the specific area while the same are implementing in other districts, the backward districts would never come at par with the forward.
It is very much appreciable hearing one NGO announced last week about the latest being launching centrally sponsored programme of “Finance Inclusion Scheme” on pilot basis to avail loan to public through VDB under RD and being selected the two most backward and youngest districts of Longleng and Kiphire as first privilege. I did not see the printed written. If it is true, Thanks to Nagaland Government. But it’s too late.
Regarding the employment and reservation: If at least equal representation policy for the public services has adopted, a backward tribes can also come a little forward. Because of the lack of education, no person from the eastern tribes could come qualify at the level of general category. If one is hardly qualified is allotted to the reserved quota. Therefore eastern peoples are ends off to 25% of which 12.5% is less than to equal ratio of 37.5% for six tribes.
Coming to the infrastructural lack in the eastern area: There are no financial and credit institutions like Nagaland Rural Bank, Industrial Development Bank of India, Axis Bank, United Commercial Bank, NABARD, Regional Rural Bank and ICICI than have the single SBI Branch in each district and one each of Nagaland Cooperative Bank in three district of Kiphire, Tuensang and Mon. (Source: Statistical Handbook 2008).
Roads and connectivity is the most important prerequisite and fundamental for human sustenance. Connections like electric connection, health infrastructure, educational infrastructure, transport facilities and even mobile and internet networks are building through road networks. But road conditions in these interior areas are pitiable. Only NH-155 is slightly touched Tuensang kiphire and the rest district HQs has merely touched by state road. The road once poorly constructed in this area has not been maintained. Vehicle in these area plies through dusty in winter and muddy in summer. One may make fun to hear that to reach one’s own HQ it takes two-three days normally on foot. Notwithstanding the government have launched many programmes as early as and like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) which was launched on 25th Dec 2000 to connect all the villages that has unconnected during the last programmes in the country yet the eastern Nagaland remains the same. If one dead in other town, the dead coffin is carried in bamboo kan by men in the age of FLIGHT.
Rural electrification was taken in India as early as 1951 from first five year plan with the objective of “electricity for all”. In order to electrify all the villages, a new initiative called Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY) was introduced in 2000-01 and begun in tenth plan i.e. 2002-03. But till now there is no electricity in many parts of the area in spite of the attempt made by central government. Outdated empty electric post has stands which were made during the fourth and fifth five year Plan. We approached and attempted many times to the concern department of Nagaland but no redresses is so far made. Thus rural peoples in these area remains in darkness while the other are holds the globe in single hand by power.
Coming to the educational drawbacks in eastern Nagaland, NPE 1968, NPE 1986, National Literacy Mission and the World vision of education for all becomes a nightmare and the RTE value is lost. The No. of Primary School, middle school, high school and college altogether is less than the No. of institutions has in one advanced distr ict. Single teacher school in primary level is common. A single teacher teaches in two-three classes at the same period in fact the teaching learning process between the two affects neither. Students are feeling pity and so send it up to next class and at last they become a gang of drop out boys and girls. It was shocked that when the advertisement was made for the post of teacher by the mass superannuation, the total No. of post from all the eastern district of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire are less then the No. of post in one advanced district. By reasons it has shown the step-motherly dealing by the state government when there is a surplus teacher in the advanced places. Every year results are in nil in most part of the schools initiated by government in eastern area. There is no single institute of IT, Law and other technical that provide provisional courses. In a single college in each district, there is no any best streams, best subjects, and subject honours to which students can opt is to bite what is offer few. The impact is incompatible with the rest and become no prospect. Literacy rate is quite low compare to other districts.
Health in eastern area of Nagaland is totally unsatisfactorily. There are no basic Labs, simple diagnosis and treatment tests like EEG, EMG etc. No medicines, poor infrastructure, inadequate doctors and nurses in the health centre and hospital. If an epidemic is occur at a particular time, the fate is only to grave. Drinking water and sanitation are the basic necessities of life and nearly 80% of the common diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water. Denial of both drinking water and sanitation has so far reaching damaging effect on the health. Drinking water facilities is absolutely neglected thus by have no safe sources of water. The proper sanitation and human waste disposal facilities in many parts of eastern area is totally nil.
If the government who matter in the officialdom are not all from advanced areas, and practice without outright nepotism, favouratism and discrimination upon the backward people, the eastern people of Nagaland would have also grow equally or should have no wider gap between advanced and backward districts. Even in the department of DUDA, all decision making is driven by advanced Naga.
Regarding the reconciliation, peace and unity process, today, the ENPO are not demanding statehood to interrupt or in against this peace process calling by the Naga. It is very much appreciated. The achievement of peace is when equal opportunities, equal priviledges, equal development and equal joy in the face is seen. One can not brave with an empty stomach nor can call peace when a neighbour is in the flame. Eastern Naga becomes a loser in Nagaland.
And thus so felt the problems faced in the last long run administrating with other advanced groups of the state the mentioned reactionary regime gave rise to a good deal of discontent in the minds of eastern districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire demanding full-fledged state for a separate channel for socio- economic upliftment and politically to avail a privilege of fundamental democracy.
Bausha Pauwung Phom
Nyengching, Longleng
