DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): Wangyuh Konyak recently said he wanted the animal family at Delhi Zoo to welcome a country cousin from Nagaland, the Mithun. The Lok Sabha MP, participating in the discussion on Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Agriculture for 2006-07, made the request to the Union Minister for Agriculture and asked him to give special assistance to ICAR, Medziphema to allow ‘proper study’ on Mithun. “At least one or two Mithuns should be there in the Delhi Zoo so that the other people also may know about Mithun.”
The proceeding conversation followed thus-
Chairman (Varkala Radhakrishnan): My friend, I tell you one thing. Tomorrow is Holi. All the staff have to go home.
Wangyuh: I know tomorrow is Holi.
Chairman: Do you want all these people to be retained here?
Wangyuh: Let me conclude within few minutes. I know that tomorrow is holiday.
Chairman: I cannot retain all these people here. Please conclude. You understand the position. Tomorrow is Holi. All these staff members have to go home.
Wangyuh: I know it. I have a few points only. I will conclude within two minutes.
To the apparent panic of the staff, Wangyuh shifted from the topic of the terrestrial animal and began speaking about fish. Saying that the fish from West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Naidu reaches Nagaland only after a gap of two-three weeks, the NPF stalwart requested the concerned minister to encourage people from the North-East, particularly Nagaland, to begin their own production of fish by giving financial assistance. “Otherwise, the Government can also assist feasibility and encourage people for more and more improvement in fisheries.”
In his opening lines, Wangyuh said Nagaland does not have any land problem. “No farmer in Nagaland has ever committed suicide.” Citing the recent fire incidents caused by the practice of Jhum cultivation, he requested all the allied Ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to send a team to ascertain the facts on how and why it (the fire) broke out at the particular spot.
He also wanted the Central Commission for Farmers to conduct seminars in Nagaland by sending experts.
In conclusion, the MP asked the Union Agriculture Minister to sanction the earmarked Rs 439.50 crore for the North-Eastern Region.
Wangyuh then made the concluding masterstroke: “Sir, I cannot speak because of the time constraint. So while you reply, kindly announce your policy towards the people of Nagaland.”
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