‘Indo-Naga issue requires a political & human approach’

Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 24  

Chief Minister Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu today said that the Indo-Naga issue requires a political and human approach, and informed that he has conveyed this to the Prime Minister of India, the Home minister, Interlocutor and others. The CM, while speaking at the NLA today, stated that the state government is playing the role of facilitator but that alone is not sufficient. “We must be more aggressive and tell the truth. We must have hard talk with all the factions,” he said.  

Thanking the PM for his step to solve the Naga problem, he said “It is time for us to work hard.” The Political Affairs Mission, he said would function on mission mode, and informed that the government has already set up a committee which will meet with the different groups.  

Calls for dialogue on ULB issue On the ULB elections, the CM said that both the state government and organisations opposed to polls are doing so in order to protect Article 371 A. Both the groups, he reiterated have protection of rights under Article 371 A as a key concern. He therefore urged for the initiation of dialogue and discussions on the issue, and informed that the state government would initiate the same “so that we arrive at a broad consensus to enable us to move ahead in the matter of ULB election.”  

Govt to implement 7th ROP from April 2018

Regarding the Revision of Pay for state government employees, he informed that the state government has decided to implement the 7th Central ROP w.e.f. March, 2018. However, CANSSEA is yet to accept this offer.  

Charting the implementation of revisions in the state, the CM stated that technically the next ROP for the state employees is due only in 2020. But this time, the state government has decided to advance it by two years, and to start implementing it from April, 2018, he said.  

The CM also requested the state government employees and their associations to understand the constraints of the state government and accept a practical compromise on the basis of discussion with the Cabinet Sub-Committee members.