In this image released to the media, the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio seen with the Ambassador of Myanmar to India U-Kyi Thein whom the CM called on during his visit to Delhi. Also seen are Members of Parliament from Nagaland, CM Chang and Khekiho Zhimomi and Nagaland’s Planning Minister TR Zeliang.
Al Ngullie
Morung Express News
The Ambassador of Myanmar to India has assured Nagaland government leaders to mull with the Junta, the matter of ‘recognizing’ Myanmar Nagas with a “status.” Toward this involvement, it has come to light that efforts have been assured to facilitating the Nagaland government to meet with Myanmar’s government.
The crucial subject of designating the Nagas of Myanmar either a political or administrative status of their own, in Myanmar State, was broached with the Ambassador of Myanmar to India in New Delhi today. Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has met with the Ambassador of Myanmar to India, U-Kyi Thein. Discussions were held over the issue of granting a status of recognition to Myanmar-Nagas within the political or administrative framework of the predominantly Buddhist nation.
With Chief Minister Rio during the meeting with Thein, were Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Khekiho Zhimomi, Lok Sabha Member of Parliament-elect CM Chang and Nagaland Minister for Planning TR Zeliang.
The Myanmar ambassador has assured the chief minister that the matter would be communicated to the Myanmar government at the earliest. Significantly, a proposition surfaced during the meeting that initiatives would be undertaken to facilitate the Government of Nagaland to meet with Yangon’s leaders. Highly-placed sources in the state government informed that imminent efforts to enable the Nagaland state government leaders to visit Myanmar’s government were assured to Rio by Ambassador Thein.
Thein assured Rio that the state’s government ‘request’ would be communicated to the Myanmar government. When contacted, Minister for Planning TR Zeliang confirmed the point of discussions with U-Kyi Thein. The ambassador was ‘very positive’ to the request that the Nagas in Myanmar should be recognized, the minister said. Zeliang said the same matter was broached before Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who was requested to “speak with the Junta” for a status of recognition for the Myanmar Nagas.
“He said this is the right approach,” said Zeliang quoting the prime minister. What steps the Prime Minister assured to take pertinent to Rio’s ‘request’ for recognition, was not commented on at this stage.
Along similar lines, Rio and Thein are also said to have discussed “development from both sides” – that the two government’s respective border regions (where Myanmar Nagas are concentrated) should be developed. The issues of poor healthcare and non-existent educational infrastructures and facilities as well as lack of roads and communication networks in the concentrated community’s regions were also broached. ‘The people (Nagas in Burma) are neglected…He will talk to the Burma government sometime soon’, said Zeliang referring to Thein’s assurance to take up the matter with the Junta.
Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Khekiho Zhimomi also said Thein was told that the Nagas in Myanmar must be recognized, for in their selves being an ethnic group. Interacting with The Morung Express, the MP said Thein was “concerned” at the plight of the minority Nagas and would engage with his government for a solution. On the query of what the very nature of the “status” as requested would be, Zhimomi said the ‘recognition’ should be one that would enable “development” for the ethnic Naga minority. “…one which will automatically promote their welfare” Zhimomi explained.
No other specific point of discussion was had with Thein, it was informed.
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