DIMAPUR, MAY 30 (MExN): There appears to be some disquiet amongst the Nagas of Myanmar over the failure of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to visit them. This was made known in a press note issued by the Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA). “The Naga people in Myanmar long to see Neiphiu and his colleagues here. Nagaland Chief Minister missed the Myanmar visit for the second time,” stated a press note from Y. Khomong Khiam, General Secretary of ENSA.
According to the ENSA, the first time Rio missed the opportunity was during the North East India Chief Minister’s Forum and the second during the ongoing Myanmar-North Eastern Indian States Business Enclave held in Monywa, Myanmar on May 28 this year. It may be mentioned that a State level delegation consisting of at least two Ministers from Nagaland was present. Rio could not make it to the meeting.
The ENSA press note stated that the team from Manipur was headed by none other than its Chief Minister Ibobi Singh and that the Manipur team was “sincerely working hand in hand with Myanmar” and also informed that the team from Imphal had a series of meetings in Mandalay after the Monywa meeting.
Meanwhile the ENSA has made reference to the “Popular News”, a daily published from Myanmar which had interviewed Y. Patton, Minister, Forests, Ecology, Environment, Wildlife and Border Affairs, Nagaland in the presence of ENSA leaders during the Myanmar-North Eastern Indian States Business Enclave on May 28.
Responding to queries raised by the news daily, Patton expressed happiness over the hospitality extended by the people there. The Minister in a reply to the question, why Nagaland Chief Minister never visited Myanmar, said that he will brief the Chief Minister and enable him to visit Myanmar.
According to the ENSA, Patton also replied to the question on when road connectivity between the two countries will be completed, assuring that this will be completed by the end of 2013. Patton also admitted that no individual or business agencies from Nagaland were involved in investment in Myanmar so far.
The same media group also interviewed U Rusanchu, Chairman of the Naga self-Administered Zone and asked the same question as to what the fruits of East-West Naga relationship are and what message he wanted to convey.
Rusanchu, in his first reply said that “agreement outnumbered the work implementation between the two” and that “MoU after MoU on different occasion has been signed, but so far, I don’t see work done as much as MoU since 2009. Nothing much has been substantiated / proved practically.”
According to the press note from the ENSA, initially, the agreement was signed between the two for three roads that connects the two countries through the Naga areas. “But, now Nagaland side emphasizes on Awakhung-Cherra road instead of Pangsha-Lahe road which connects Naga Self-Administered Zone’s Capital in Myanmar.” The Chairman went on to add that it will be more appropriate to first focus on Pangsha-Lahe road, followed by other roads.
The “Popular News” also interviewed U Myat Ko, Member of Myanmar Parliament. Myat Ko thanked the Chief Minister of Nagaland and his Government for the recognition of the Nagas in Myanmar. However, he insisted more on being “practical”. Here he cited the “good example” from Manipur where Chief Minister lbobi Singh, his four cabinet ministers and 38 other delegates were present during the recent business summit.
“It will be so encouraging to see our Naga brothers in the same way,” he said. He also said that like Mizoram, Manipur and other North Eastern States are not only making investments but helping the weaker country in many ways. Myat Ko told the media that “nothing much have been done or impacted so far, besides emotional concern.”
