Nagaland Chief Minister Emphasizes the Need for Timely Resolution of the Naga Political Matter
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Kohima, Dec 1 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, on Sunday highlighted the pressing need to address the Naga political issue and revealed that he had engaged in discussions on this topic with Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently.
During the celebration of the 62nd statehood day event, he stated that based on the decisions made in the state cabinet meeting on November 16, a delegation led by him met Union Home Minister Shah on November 21 in New Delhi for comprehensive discussions.
Rio mentioned that the Union Home Minister stressed the urgency of resolving the issue and addressed various challenges, including the recent press statements from the NSCN-I-M's Chief Political Negotiator, noting that while resolution remains a key priority, the emergence of new factions and their internal conflicts present significant hurdles.
Speaking on the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) matter, the Chief Minister indicated that a draft Memorandum of Settlement was submitted on November 6 to the Ministry of Home Affairs, focusing on mutual economic advancement for all citizens and signaling the start of a new era of collaboration and growth.
Since 2010, the ENPO has been advocating for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland Territory’ or an independent state comprising six districts in Eastern Nagaland — Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang — which are home to seven underprivileged tribes: Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung.
Rio further stated that after nearly two decades, elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were recently held, ensuring a 33 percent reservation for women. As a result, 278 councillors were elected across 25 Urban Local Bodies, which included 103 women councillors, making up 37 percent of the total.
He emphasized the principle of “Peace for Development and Development for Peace,” urging every citizen to join forces to elevate the state.
The state government has commenced the construction of the Konyak Heritage Complex in Mon, under the North Eastern Council (NEC), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at safeguarding and promoting traditional Konyak architecture, sculptures, customs, and cultural heritage.
Rio added that to create a robust and dependable transmission system and to meet the anticipated power demand of 360 MW by 2030, the Department of Power has developed a comprehensive transmission plan in collaboration with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Ministry of Power.
He noted that the Department of New and Renewable Energy has completed surveys and investigations for the Lower Doyang hydroelectric power project in Wokha district, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) now ready.
Rio commented that as a precursor to the 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival, which commenced on Sunday, the Tourism Department, in conjunction with the Union Ministry of Tourism, successfully hosted the third edition of the Autumn Festival in New Delhi along with a Cultural Extravaganza Night at the Agri Expo in Chumoukedima within the state.
The celebration of the 62nd statehood day was marked by captivating performances, including a rendition by Rengma Chorale from Tseminyu, performing the song titled ‘Ma Senyalo’, meaning 'Praise Him', as well as the Sangtam Cultural Group with the song ‘Vingvingtii’.
The event also featured a war dance by the Sumi Cultural Troupe, the cultural dance ‘SonkengJihang’ performed by the Khiamniungan Cultural Troupe, the folk dance ‘Phita’ by the Angami Cultural Troupe, and a folk song ‘Bu Asho’ presented by the Phom Cultural Troupe.
