Morung Express News
Tuensang | February 22
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today iterated that the central government is serious in resolving the Naga political issue and had always kept the door open for dialogue.
The Prime Minister said settlement of the Naga issue would not only benefit the Naga people but it was also in the interest of India.
Addressing a combined BJP-NDPP election rally here at Tuensang town public ground, Modi said he was confident that a settlement would be reached soon. He said he was well aware of the aspirations of Naga people and civil society and the general desire for peace.
Stating that Nagas have made immense contribution in nation building in diverse fields, he assured that Naga dignity and way of life would be respected and secured.
On his maiden visit to Tuensang, the Prime Minister said though Nagas in general have problems including the unresolved political problem, people of Eastern Nagaland have their own myriad problems and hardships and said that these would also be addressed separately.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the development activities and programmes in the North-East and Nagaland during the last four years of the BJP Government in the Centre.
Modi said besides the ‘Act East Policy’, the government is giving special attention to development of the North East through a new vision “Transformation by Transportation” and introduced the ‘NE Special Infrastructure Development’ scheme to give a push to infrastructure development including power, telecom and roads in the Region.
In Nagaland, in the last four years, the length of National highways has been increased from 1,000 km to 1,500 km and Rs, 6,000 crores allotted for roads. In the next 4-5 years, an additional Rs. 10,000 crores would be invested for constructing better roads, he said.
The Centre has also allotted Rs. 5,500 crores for new railway connectivity including Rs. 3,000 crores for the Dimapur-Kohima rail line. On air connectivity, Modi said plan for Dimapur-Shillong flight has been initiated.
He also informed that the Centre has allotted Rs. 8,00 crores in the past three years to ensure regular supply of power to all villages in the state, Rs. 1,800 crores for Kohima Smart City, Rs. 160 crores for housing and Rs. 400 crores for healthcare.
But more than the highlights of what the Centre had done for the state in the last 4 years, it was Modi’s attempt to connect with the public in Nagamese that endeared him to the Tuensang people. “Ishor laga naam de, sob manu ke salaam di ashe” (In the name of God, I bring greetings to you all), Modi said in his opening address which was greeted with a loud applause from the 10,000 plus public which filled the medium-sized ground to capacity.
Acknowledging the crowd, he said their presence in the rally is a fitting reply to those who indulge in divisive and votebank politics. Appealing the Naga people to vote for the BJP-NDPP alliance for a solid and stable government, Modi said with two engines working together (BJP-NDPP government in the state and BJP in the Centre), Nagaland would witness acceleration of development.
“Moi eeman dur bhara ahishe. Naga laga neom bhara moi ke khali haath na pathabi. Morom Bhara BJP-NDPP ke vote dibhi (I have come from a long way and as per Naga culture, don’t sent me back empty handed. Please cast your vote for BJP-NDPP)," Modi said in his concluding remark.
BJP-NDPP alliance chief ministerial candidate, Neiphiu Rio, in his address said the new partnership (alliance) would go a long way to benefit Nagas. State BJP president, Visazolie Lhoungu, chaired the rally.
Earlier before the Prime Minister’s arrival, Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju, and BJP and NDPP candidates from Tuensang districts including Rakhila (BJP), Imtilemba Sangtam (BJP), Mangko Chang (NDDP), CM Chang (NDPP), Haying (BJP) and Tushi Wungtung (NDPP) also addressed the rally.
Meanwhile, it was informed that the visit of BJP President, Amit Shah who was scheduled to arrive in Nagaland on February 23 has been cancelled.
