DIMAPUR, JANUARY 2 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister, TR Zeliang called on his Assam counterpart, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday and discussed several issues, mainly focusing on the issue of connectivity in the region and the Naga political issue.
A press note from the Nagaland Chief Minister’s Office informed that Zeliang met Sonowal at the latter’s official Bangalow in Guwahati on Monday.
Zeliang discussed on formulation of a common strategy for improvement of connectivity. Apart from others, the discussion covered issues related to New Industrial Policy for North East region in line with Act East Policy and means to meet mounting employment problem in the region.
The discussion concluded that unemployment would go out of hand unless a joint approach to facilitate youth upliftment was initiated.
The Chief Ministers of both Assam and Nagaland mutually agreed to have a Consultative Meet with Chief Ministers of neighbouring States to formulate such common policies in the near future.
While stating that ‘solution of the Naga Political Issue is a national concern because it pertains to Naga people living in India in the four states of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland,’ Zeliang said that the Naga political Issue was ‘an international issue’ given the fact that the Naga political problem includes the international border of Myanmar which needs to be resolved with the Myanmar Government.
Clearing his perspective, Zeliang stated that early solution to the Naga political problem would bring stability and permanent peace in the entire NE region. “If we do not take up such a challenge, the future generation will never forgive us,” he told his Assam counterpart.
“With seventy years of armed conflict, it is imperative to join together and tell the GOI to open new doors for the younger generation to march forward in peace,” he added.
Both the Chief Ministers agreed that perception of mainland India and the outside world, viewing North East region as insurgent states should become history of the past given the renewed vigour of NE States in pursuing peace and development.
The two Chief Ministers discussed on formulating a common strategy for better road and rail connectivity between Assam and Nagaland while deciding to have a consultative meet with other Chief Ministers in order to take up issues of common interests like better road, rail and air connectivity in the region before the Government of India.
They also decided to seek special packages on Entrepreneurship in order to mitigate the crucial problem of serious unemployment.
.JPG)
