Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 27
Along with the rest of the country, Nagaland joined in the celebration of the 64th Republic Day here at the Secretariat Plaza. Addressing the gathering, the Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar echoed the sentiments of the Naga people by stating that one looks forward to an early and honorable solution to the long standing Naga Political problem. Mentioning the efforts of the Government for an early solution, he said that efforts have included the formation of a Joint Legislature Forum (JLF), consisting of all the 60 legislators of the State Assembly and the two Nagaland MPs, cutting across party lines. The JLF has met key senior political leaders in Delhi, including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, and offered to resign from their present position to pave way for any alternative interim arrangement that may be necessitated by the peaceful settlement of the Naga political issue. Stating that despite the best efforts, a solution could not be finalized before the announcement of election to the State Assembly, he said that we have to keep working towards a solution and further appealed to all political parties, Naga Hohos, civil societies, NGOs and churches as well as the Naga underground groups to continue working for a peaceful settlement.
Mentioning the coming Assembly elections, the Governor appealed to all political parties, the state election machinery, government servants engaged in election duty and the people at large to maintain dignity and decorum during the election campaign so as to ensure smooth and peaceful elections. Noting the Clean Election Campaign initiative of the NBCC, he expressed happiness and hoped that the public would pledge to abjure from all kinds of corruption and electoral malpractices.
While touching on the issue of peace and tranquility in the disputed border areas of Assam and Nagaland, the Governor said that Border Peace Coordination Committees have been set up in all the sectors, covering Mon, Longleng, Mokokchung, Wokha and Dimapur Districts. Cultural exchange and sports meets are also being organized in various districts with the active participation of the Border Peace Committees and district administration of Assam and Nagaland.
The Governor further said that to enhance the disaster preparedness of the state, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) has already trained five companies of NAP (IR) Battalions and equipped them with necessary tools. He informed that five more companies of the NAP (IR) and some Village Guards will be trained while also informing that the NSDMA has already implemented a UNDP assisted program, called the National School Safety Program (NSSP) to create disaster awareness in 400 selected schools.
Reiterating that majority of our people still live in villages, the Governor said that flagship schemes of the Central Government, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Indira Awas Yojana are being implemented successfully in the state. A new program called National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has been launched in the state in Jakhama, Pfutsero and Longleng blocks this year and will be substantially expanded to cover more blocks next year.
