Expedite Peace Process: says Nagaland Governor

The Nagaland state government today appealed to both the Government of India and the Naga nationalist groups to expedite the peace process.
“It is the sincere appeal of my government that both the Government of India and the Naga Nationalist groups should expedite the peace process to arrive at an honorable political settlement, so that the state and its people can pursue their destinies in peace,” said Nagaland Governor, Dr Ashwani Kumar in his address at the 4th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly here.

On the Naga political issue, the Governor said that many initiatives have been taken to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the issue, including formation of the Joint Legislators Forum.

The efforts of the FNR to forge unity and common approach amongst the Naga UGs are, indeed laudable, he said. However, he expressed concern that the negotiation has been prolonged for 17 years, “wearing thin the patience of the common man.”

The Governor assured that law and order in the state remained, by and large, peaceful, and that several tense situations were contained through timely and effective intervention of the administration and the police.

Referring to the Mukalimi incident, the Governor viewed that “the actions of the administration, police and the Assam Rifles prevented a much feared blood bath, which could have left many more casualties in the violent encounter.” Relief measures were also provided to the residents of Mukalimi village, he informed.

Dr Kumar further viewed the emergence of civil society movements against illegal taxation as significant. “The government is deeply concerned, and is committed to ensure that the interest of the common man is secured,” he said, adding that a special committee set up by the government has been actively examining the various concerns of the people, including performance of government functionaries at the grassroots level. “A number of check gates along the highways have been removed, and several measures are being envisaged, including community policing and restricting of the activities of the regulatory and revenue collecting departments,” he said.

Dr. Kumar observed that for real changes to take place, civil society and the government need to work together, so that the youth are provided with an appropriate environment to work and grow.

In view of the unrest in Karbi Anglong area and the Pachaspura killings, the Governor said that the state government has condemned the brutal killings, and has taken all necessary actions possible to prevent the escalation of the tensions and also to bring the culprits to book. He added that a High Power Inquiry Committee, set up in this regard, has submitted its report. The Special Investigation Team has also made considerable progress, he said.

He further stated that a delegation led by the Chief Minister, Nagaland had met the Chief Minister of Assam and requested the Assam government to reach out to the displaced Rengma Nagas in resettling them and to take necessary actions for peaceful co existence in the area.

Regarding the Foothill Road, the Governor referred to the project as a prominent initiative and informed that work on it has been initiated. An amount of Rs. 4000.00 lakhs has been kept for this purpose during current year, he added.

He further stated that Rs 300 Crore, incorporated by the central government, is yet to be sanctioned for a special development package for eastern Nagaland. He however added that the state government has decided to go ahead with the implementation of most of the projects included under this package, and to pay from its own plan resources, as and when works are completed.