Highlights of 2nd Day Assembly Session

 

Speaking at the Debate on Governors Address, former NPCC President and senior Congress lawmaker KV Pusa while opposing disintegration of Nagaland state urged the state government to safeguard the territorial integrity of the state.
Raising a supplementary question on demand for a separate state by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), Pusa said like the neighboring state Nagaland government should also stand firm against disintegration of Nagaland state. But at the same time, he urged the state government to sincerely address the grievances of the people of four districts viz-Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Tuensang. Like the neighbouring states, safeguard the integrity of our state, he insisted. He said there are 20 MLAs from the four districts and out of which 14 are with the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) and urged them to work unitedly for the eastern Nagaland. He also called upon the MLAs from eastern Nagaland to contribute for the welfare of the state so that Nagas could progress equally adding that they should strengthen state rather. They should fight for their rights the congress leader said.

Rio says demand of separate state, a serious issue
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said ENPO had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India for a separate state for the people of four districts and a copy of which was also submitted to Union Home Minister, P. Chidambaram. He said the organization had also handed over a copy to the Governor of Nagaland but both the MHA and the governor wrote to state government to offer views and comments. The state government is not privy to the reason for such demand he told the House.
He said the demand for a separate state is very serious issue and therefore cabinet had met to appeal to the ENPO to reconsider its demand. Rio in his budget speech also said government is aware of the feelings and genuine grievances and would address them with all sincerity and seriousness. While it is for the government of India to decide the issue of granting statehood it is sad to think of further dividing the Nagas. He urged people to remember that history would judge them all for their decisions and actions at this critical juncture. Let us be careful to see that we don’t throw away all the gains achieved through years of our collective struggle, hard work and sacrifice he told the assembly. Rio said they were aware that it is not possible for them to adequately and satisfactorily address all the issues and problems being faced by the people of eastern Nagaland in a short span of time but said they were firm and unwavering in their commitment to bring about speedy and equitable development to the people of eastern Nagaland and to remove the feelings of neglect and discrimination being felt by them.
Meanwhile, participating in the debate today on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address which was delivered on the floor of the house, MLA Joshua opined that Nagas has the tendency to misuse Article 371 (A) which says land and its resources belong to the people and suggested that the chapter needs to be dealt exclusively, so that Nagas marches ahead. He also described Hornbill festival as educative and suggested for imposing strict regulations so that youngsters do not go astray. Dwelling on the year of Entrepreneurs, MLA Joshua said that many young educated youth have befitted through the programme yet felt the need for proper monitoring system to oversee whether the funds provided and training imparted are judiciously utilised. MLA SI Jamir, Chingwang Konyak, K.V. Pusa and Sentichuba who also participated in the debate dwelt at length in issues of health, peace process and
the issue of ENPO.
(with inputs from DIPR)