Chizokho Vero
August 15
KOHIMA (MExN): State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted that the use of gun culture could not bring about permanent solution to the long protracted Naga political problem. “With the ceasefire in place and the ongoing Naga peace talks between the Centre and NSCN, people have now come to the realization that they can prosper only when there is peace and the gun culture is not a solution to the Naga political problem”, Rio said in his Independence Day address here at the State Civil Secretariat, Kohima on Monday.
Rio declared that the State Government remained steadfast in its commitment to play the role of a facilitator in the ongoing peace process, adopting a policy of equi-closeness with the under-ground groups.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre for having taken forward the peace process and constituting a ministerial team for the purpose of continuing the political dialogue with the NSCN.
Welcoming the recent extension of the ceasefire agreement between the Centre and the NSCN, Rio was optimistic that New Delhi would take steps to impart fresh momentum to the peace process. He also reminded that the Indo-Naga peace process was a complex one and asked all concerned people to remain patient and committed to the process of peaceful dialogue. The Chief Minister also made a fervent appeal to all Naga underground groups to maintain peace amongst them and to forget their differences and past bitterness. “The situation requires them to show enough courage and wisdom to come together and work unitedly for the common Naga political cause and bring about a permanent settlement”, Rio said.
Referring to the law and order situation, Rio said that the situation remained by and large peaceful except stray incidents of factional clashes and the unfortunate incident at Tobu sometime back. In this regard, Rio said the government would leave no stone unturned to find an amicable solution to the Tobu issue through non-violent means. The Chief Minister appealed to the Changs and Konyaks to help maintain peace while seeking cooperation and assistance of the Church and Civil societies in finding an amicable solution to this vexed problem.
Assuring the DAN government’s commitment towards the welfare of the people, Rio said that progress and prosperity would be achieved only when Nagas changed their mindset and march ahead with grit and determination to take up the challenges of life. “I can assure you that the government will continue to work with full commitment and sincerity to meet the people’s expectations”, he said adding that the government would spare no efforts in translating the collective dreams into a reality and to make Nagaland a prosperous State.
Later, Rio inaugurated exhibition stalls put up by various departments. He also released the Coffee Table Book at Durbar Hall.
CM’s I-Day Speech Highlights
• Funds under 12th Finance Commission Award for maintenance of civic amenities in Municipalities and Towns
• Grants to small and medium towns
• Declared 2006 as Year of Farmers
• 24 MW Likimro Hydro Project to function shortly
• 5% reservation of vacancies in govt employment for the physically challenged persons
• New bus services to be added during 2005
• Plan to set-up Medical and Nursing College
• Another batch of 500 graduates to be sent to ITFT Chandigarh during winter session
• Nagaland to host NE Sports Festival 2006
• SCERT to train 100 primary school teachers during 2005
• Two more National Highway (Kohima-Chakhabama-Jessami road; Mokokchung-Tuensang-Kiphire-Jessami road) on the anvil
• 71 minor irrigation projects planned for 2005-06
• Nagaland to take part in International Flower Fair at Amsterdam in November 2005
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