Morung Express News
Shamator | March 8
Nagaland State Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, today gave a new lease of hope to the aspiration of the Yimchungrü tribe for a separate district headquarters.
The Chief Minister said the Nagaland state government was giving serious thought to the demand of the Yimchungrü people for creation of a separate district headquarters for the Yimchungrü people.
Zeliang was addressing a public reception after formally inaugurating the Shamator Town Council here at public ground, Shamator town, the administrative headquarters (ADC) of the Yimchungrüs.
Zeliang said the inauguration of Shamator Town Council is the first step towards attainment of district status and said with gradual build up of infrastructure and development, the aspiration for a separate district would be fulfilled.
“If township is upgraded, then district will automatically come. The key is in your hand”, he said and added that the public too must contribute if they want development.
Underscoring the need to maintain Naga unity and brotherhood, the CM said Naga Hills in Tuensang Area being the pioneer district in Naga history, the various tribes inhabiting the district should lead the Nagas to unite for a common cause.
“For peaceful resolution of the six and half decade old Naga political issue, the most important thing is to maintain Naga brotherhood and unity. If we do not have Naga brotherhood and unity, the Nagas will never be strong. We will also not be respected and taken seriously by other people”, Zeliang said. He also said it is high time for all Naga political groups to unite for the common Naga cause and learn to speak in one voice, as one people. “Many people now believe that our disunity is the main stumbling block to Naga political solution”, he said.
The chief minister also said of late, the state has witnessed flare up of tribal conflicts within the Naga family, especially in Tuensang and Kiphire districts. Zeliang said such conflicts would not only undermine the Naga political cause and unity but also cause serious setbacks to the economic development of the ‘backward’ Eastern region. “It will also cause hardships to our children, especially to the school going children. Ultimately, it will affect your future. I appeal to all tribes in Nagaland, particularly the tribes in Tuensang and Kiphire to maintain peace and harmony”, he said.
Earlier, the CM inaugurated the new ADC Shamator office complex. Guest of honour, minister for Rural Development & REPA, CL John, in his address also stressed on the need to maintain inter-tribal harmony among various Naga tribes, especially the Eastern Nagas.
Alluding to the recent violence in Tuensang and Kiphire districts, the Minister said further division within the family would only weaken the Eastern Nagas. He said even the Konyaks speak 55 different dialects, yet they collectively go by the tribe name of Konyak.
John also said in the present context of Naga society with constant conflicts, the slogan “Nagaland for Christ” has become “Nagaland for Crisis.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Municipal Affairs, Economics & Statistics, R Tohanba meanwhile thanked the CM for the latter’s concern for development of the Eastern districts. Tohanba in his address also appealed the various Eastern Naga tribes to learn the art of living together.
The Yimchungrü Tribal Council (YTC) submitted a memorandum to the CM at the event reiterating the aspiration of the Yimchungrü people for a separate district.
