Chizokho Vero
Kohima | November 28
Sending a clear and loud message of brotherhood across the north east region, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today told the platform of North East Students’ Organization (NESO) to foster a spirit of brotherhood among the north eastern states and prosper together “so that we contribute towards the nation building process by becoming the country’s treasured assets.”
Speaking at the 15th general conference of NESO here at Naga Solidarity Park, Rio said the region and its people has remained as neighbours since time immemorial and will remain so till the end of time.
Stating that the first and foremost is to resolve outstanding political issue and bring political stability to the region, Rio said “Resolution of political conflicts and subsequent containment of insurgencies will ensure political stability and prevalence of peace and security. This will create an environment that is congenial for infrastructure development and investments that will equip the region to facilitate international trade and commerce.”
“The Government of India must also understand that outstanding political issues need to be addressed across the table. A country cannot declare war on its own people but we must win over the confidence of the people through democratic means and progressive policies. Development, creation of opportunities and resolution of political imbroglios will remove the feeling of alienation and neglect that has existed for decades”, Rio said.
Stating that already the Government of India is following a welcome policy of ceasefires, dialogues and peace agreements in certain pockets, he said “This should be the way forward. It is imperative that the people of the region understand the realities of the present day.
We have to understand the difficulties of the Government of India and be reasonable in our approach.”
“While the Government of India must have the will to resolve the political issues, at the same time, the people of the region too must understand the ground realities and appreciate the problems of the Government of India.
Rio appreciated the efforts of the NESO in standing up for the rights of the people of the region. He said the states of the north east face the threat of being overrun by illegal immigrants which will ultimately change the demography of the population. Such a scenario will pollute our rich culture and threaten the preservation of the heritage of the people.
The CM also pointed out that the north eastern region is located in a crucial and vital geographical location. 99 per cent of the outer boundaries of the sister states are bordering foreign countries and only about one per cent of our boundary is shared with mainland India, Rio said while adding that this part of the country is crucial and strategic in multiple aspects of security, trade, commerce and connectivity.
Referring to conference’s theme “Our resources- Our Future,” Rio said that in a new global age where the pursuit of economic progress has become the predominant aim, this theme is most appropriate and timely. The time has come for this region to realize the need for economic independence. The region is in need of sustainable development backed by stable economic policies and programmes,” Rio said.
Rio asserted that our future lies in economic sustainability, and this should be achieved by tapping into our resources in a planned manner where we do not plunder our resources and also protect the environment and rich biodiversity of the region.
“Our natural resources of oil and minerals have the potential to bring economic boom even as we need to constantly improve the capacity and calibre of our competent human resource,” Rio said adding that the way forward is to focus on our strengths and usher in sustainable economic growth without making compromise of our identity, culture and our natural environment.
“We have to attain progress and at the same time we must leave behind a secure and stable future for the coming generations.”
Rio also stated that the majority of the people of the region are yet to understand that they are living in an area that has the potential to become one the most important regions in the planet in the present country. The economies of India, China and the ASEAN could be centred on the sister states of the region. This region has the prospect to play a contributory role in propelling the economies of the sub-continent and the ASEAN countries.
On the other hand, Rio said that NE region has also potential of becoming a battleground for the powerful countries that border the region.
“In some way or the other, it already is a region where countries and different ideologies are playing proxy wars with each other. The people of the region have become innocent victims at times and pawns in bigger games on other occasions”. He also stated that the region has become a corridor for illegal trade in drugs, narcotic and arms.
“Having weighted the positives and negatives, he said, it is time for the country to realize that the north eastern region is on the verge of becoming one of the country’s most important assets on all fronts. The only way for the Government of India to turn the tables in favour of New Delhi is to address the issues that have plagued the region.
Stating that each of the states of the region has its own strengths and weakness, he stressed on the need to tap in each other’s potentials and present the region as a collective front.
