A view of Khamoi Village in the Naga areas of Myanmar. (Photo courtesy Kuku Christina)
K. Filip Sumi
Dimapur | April 30
As the Government of Nagaland attempts to boost India’s Look East Policy by opening up various international trade routes along the border, the Government of Myanmar, through the Naga Self-Administered Zone (NSAZ) has shown interest in extending a hand. Earlier in April, the Chairman of the NSAZ Committee, Rusanchu, visited Longwa (Mon) to inaugurate the International Trade Route from Myanmar. Towards the end of April, there was another team of Naga MPs from Myanmar who visited the Indo-Myanmar border area between Avangkhu (Nagaland) and Leyshi (NSAZ).
Keeping these developments in mind, The Morung Express did an email interview with the Chairman of NSAZ Committee, Rusanchu.
The Morung Express (MEx): How are the developmental works going in Naga Zone? Does the Myanmar government have real concern for the Nagas?
Rusanchu: The government of Myanmar has a concern for the development works in Naga Self Administered Zone (NSAZ). For example the government sanctioned the amount of Ks 20,000,000,000 (twenty billion Kyat, or 1,218,426,571.75 INR) for the two budget years (2011-12, 2012-13) for development in the area of health care, education and road construction in this zone.
In using the fund, the Zone Committee collected information about the needs of the people from the reports of the respective administrative levels: ward, village, and township and with that assessment of needs the committee made various plans: short term, long term plans such as one year plan, five year plan and thirty year plan. Then the committee carries out the plans with the approval of Regional and Union government.
MEx: How do you see the future of the Nagas of Myanmar beyond 2015 general elections?
Rusanchu: At present the Union of Myanmar practices democracy, and so in the 2015 general election of Myanmar, the people of Nagas themselves will elect delegates who will sincerely work for the people, and then those who are elected in accordance with the law, will organize the NSAZ Committee and they will continue to administer the Zone like now.
MEx: Members of Parliament are just lawmakers in democratic countries. Does the Myanmar constitution allow Members of Parliament to play bigger role in overall development and in administration?
Rusanchu: The main task of the members of Pyithu lwuttaw and Amyotha lwuttaw is to make law. At the same time in accordance with the constitution of their party, they are to help the need of the area for which they represent, cooperating with the administrative committee of that area, and submitting that need to the chairman of the respective parliament.
MEx: Being the Chairman of the NSAZ, why did you not visit Nagaland this time along with the two Naga MPs? Does it show your lack of interest for Naga brothers in Nagaland or did you send the two MPs as your representative?
Rusanchu: The chairman of the NSAZ Committee is a member of the government body. Therefore when he wants to discuss with foreigners for the development and tranquillity of the zone, permission has to be first obtained from Union government through Regional government. Without this permission, he is not to discuss or sign any agreement by his own will. This is the way every country practices. In this case I am just following the law; it is not that I am not interested in Naga brothers in Nagaland.
MEx: What is the relation between your party USDP the present ruling party in Myanmar and National League for Democracy (Opposition party)? Are you working together? This question is necessitated because a leader of the Naga National League for Democracy (NNLD) is guiding the two MPs as an interpreter here in Nagaland.
Rusanchu: The members of Naga National League for Democracy party existing in NSAZ do not have any cooperation with the present ruling party USDP in working for Naga people.
MEx: The Morung Express last month published an item about corruption of Naga leaders in Myanmar. Do you have any clarification or opinion to share?
Rusanchu: In administering the Zone, there never was any activity carried out with the decision of a person like a dictator. All the members of the NSAZ committee are working in accordance with the law. And all the people are grateful to the government and to all those responsible persons in the administration for helping the development of the lives of Naga people. The learned people ought to decide whether the voice of the one who has never been with the people, and never walked through the villages of this people, can really be the voice of the people and the experience of the people.
NB: The questions were sent while the Myanmar Naga delegation was visiting Nagaland
