Dimapur, July 24 (MExN): The Central Nagaland Students’ Association (CSNA) on July 23 said that it was "totally appalled" by the State Government's funding decisions for a number of projects and initiatives and allegedly underlining “its importance to a certain section of the people.”
‘The secretive and unjustified selfish interests of the government in coordinating and allocating the plans and resources are intolerable and threatening,’ asserted a press statement from the Association, comprised of by Apex student body Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) and Sumi Students’ Union (SKK).
As the government does not exist solely for the benefit of one tribe or one district, all of the state's districts ought to be handled fairly and equally, it said.
The CSNA also accused the government led by the Chief Minister of showing “partiality and preference” to one particular district.
This has proved that “developmental funds and projects have been distributed on the basis of tribalism and nepotism,” it added.
Accordingly, the CNSA called for “immediately” looking into the disparity and disproportional discrepancies in development activities.
In order to ensure equity and prevent discrimination, the state should revoke and review all projects that have already been submitted and approved, it said.
If the Chief Minister is unable to take responsibility for all the discrepancies and is unable to perform his duty as a competent and unbiased person, he should step down on moral grounds, it added.
The statement from the CNSA President, R Sunep Pongen and Vice President, Lipemo M Tsopoe further expressed concern over the occurrence of such discrepancies when the state is attempting to find a peaceful political solution.
“If significant portion of the Naga population is neglected and deprived for the benefit of a small section of people, it will not only impede and jeopardize the Naga integration process but also lead to internal conflicts and hostility, the consequences of which the present leaders will have to bear,” it added.
In this connection, the CNSA demanded at that all “development projects and fund distributions be scrutinized and distributed fairly in the overall interest of the Nagas.”
