Nagaland govt responds to Ao Senden’s charter of demands
Mokokchung, June 1 (MExN): The Ao Senden received a copy of a ‘memorandum’ issued by the Home commissioner, Government of Nagaland with regard to the charter of demands it put forward to the Chief Minister. The memorandum from the Nagaland state government to the Ao Senden was faxed to the DC Mokokchung last night and released to the media today.
The Home Commissioner, Temjen Toy, in the memorandum, while saying that the “matter has been examined and discussed at the highest level, responded point by point to the Ao Senden’s demands.”
On the demand for an NAP Outpost as listed in the Ao Senden charter of demands, the Home commissioner stated that one platoon of 10th IRB is being sent to Saringyim on deployment as an immediate measure. “Subsequent opening of a permanent post will be taken up as per procedures,” the HC stated. With regard to the demand for the posting of EAC at Longchem, the Home Commissioner stated that one Lanusenla Longkumer EAC “is being posted to Longchem immediately”. It stated that the border magistrate, Tsurangkong issue will be taken up as the present incumbent is on leave.
With regard to the demand for completion of the foothill road, the Home Commissioner stated that the state government has kept the construction of the foothill road from Tizit (Mon) to Khelma (Peren) as one of its top priorities. However, due to absence of a tangible source of funding, the project has not taken off as yet, the Home Commissioner stated.
Saying that the government has renewed its efforts to funding this 390 plus Km road and deploying technical officers to rework the alignment, the memorandum stated that the government expects a final alignment by the end of June, 2013 after which it will take up the matter with the Planning Commission of India. The Home Commissioner also pointed out that the matter was discussed at length during the Chief Minister- Deputy Chairman level meeting on May 27, 2013 and “the commission appreciated the need for having such a road.”
“We have requested that this iconic road be taken up as a national project. You will appreciate that this has been an initiative of the State Government and we seek your cooperation and support in getting this project through,” the memorandum stated. With regards to the demand for village guards in the border areas, the Home Commissioner stated that the government has examined it. However, ‘this being a policy matter will be taken up at the appropriate levels. Initial discussions have already been initiated,” the Home commissioner assured.
Concerning the demand for compensation to the injured victims of May 24 incident at Mariani and the damaged vehicles, the Home Commissioner stated that “the Government of Assam has informed that they will pay for the medical treatment of the victims as well as repair of the damaged vehicles”. “You will appreciate that the State Government is fully seized on the issue and necessary actions are being taken on all the points raised by you. We seek your fullest cooperation so as to maintain normalcy in the district,” the Home Commissioner said.
The bandh on the Mariani and Amguri roads connecting Mokokchung continues while a seven member legislator team led by Nagaland Health & Family Minister, Imkong L Imchen, Youth Resources & Sports Minister, Merentoshi R Jamir, and other Ao legislators from Mokokchung (except the two Congress MLAs) held a closed door meeting with the Ao Senden and later with the district administration and police at the AKM Conference here today. The outcome of the closed door meeting could not be ascertained.
Ao Senden officials disclosed that the Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and legislators arrived at Mokokchung on their “own volition” as “Ao Legislators” and not as an official “government delegation.” Ao Senden officials categorically said that they are not taking this visit as an official one and added that the next course of action with regard to the bandh would be taken on Monday at the Federal Assembly Session. “It is not up to the presidential council, or the office bearers. The decision about the bandh issue has to be taken by the Federal Assembly (of the Ao Senden),” said Dr Sangyu Yanden.
The meeting today was elaborate; however the issue of lifting the bandh is still pending. The question of how convincing the visiting Ao Ministers and legislators were on the Ao Senden will be known only on Monday when the Ao Senden holds its Federal Assembly. The main agenda will focus on the present bandh.
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