Ao organizations submit 4-point memo to Prez
DIMAPUR, MAY 15 (MExN): On the occasion of his visit to Nagaland, a joint representation was submitted to Pranab Mukherjee President of India by the Ao Senden (HoHo), Watsu Mungdang & Ao Students’ Conference. The four point representation includes, construction of 2 lane foothills road from Dimapur to the northern part of Nagaland without crossing Assam, shifting of Assam Rifles camp from the heart of Mokokchung town, revival of Tuli paper mill and early settlement of the Naga political issue.
Regarding shifting of Assam Rifles (AR) Camp from the heart of the town and civilian area, it was stated that this has been a long earnest desire for the peace loving citizens of Mokokchung town that no military and paramilitary be camped in the civilian areas of Mokokchung.
It was pointed out that the camp, erected since statehood, has now become the heart of the town and creates disturbance for the local inhabitants. “The AR camp located at Sangtemla Ward in the core of public place where all the district important offices including Deputy Commissioner’s office complex, SP office complex, educational institutions, churches, Mokokchung town Hall and public residence is very disturbing”, it stated. The representation has appealed to the President that the said AR camp which was strategically erected earlier be shifted to a suitable place with immediate effect thereby ushering a new chapter of mutual trust, friendship, peace and development for the people of Mokokchung.
On construction of 2 lane foothills road from Dimapur the representation pointed out that this would be in the interest of the people living in the Northern part of Nagaland. It was mentioned that the construction of a 2-lane foothills road starting from Dimapur, the commercial city of Nagaland connecting four districts namely: Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto and Longleng is the most urgent need.
“Having no other alternative Nagas are compelled to travel a double distance zigzag road through Assam only. This will provide a great relief once this road is constructed. The state Government of Nagaland has already proposed but till today it is not yet materialized”, the representation to the President stated.
On the Tuli Paper Mill, the President was informed that the Paper Mill at Tuli was, as of now, the only Industry having potential for harnessing the state’s productivity, employment generation and collateral benefits for the local people. The representation stated that the move to revive the Mill has been a boon for the state, and pointing out that the people of the district “have been feeling strongly revitalized”.
However, it stated that the delay in implementing the revised project was “rather annoying”. It was informed that the Revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the matter was still with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. It was pointed out that keeping the issue pending will cause further “multi-faceted complications” and therefore made a fervent appeal to the President to “kindly exert necessary pressure for early implementation”.
The Ao frontal organizations also called for an early settlement of the Naga Political issue while pointing out that the ceasefire and Indo-Naga peace process had been dragging on for too long. It stated that unlike other negotiations the present negotiation is not only confined to Naga UGs but involves the entire Naga public.
It stated that the lackadaisical attitude of the GOI towards resolving this vexed issue was “making the entire Naga population lose hope and anxious”. As such it called for a logical conclusion without wasting more time, stating that only then genuine peace and stability will prevail.
“The people of Mokokchung sincerely hope that your visit to this far flung area leave significant footsteps creating a new history in the state of Nagaland”, the joint representation stated which was signed by Dr Sangyu Yaden, President, Ao Hoho, Achila Imsong, President Watsu Mungdang and Akok Longkumer, President Ao Students’ Conference.
