Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inspects parade contingents during 75th Independence Day celebration in Kohima on August 15. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 16
In a state level celebration of India’s 75th Independence Day here at Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza on August 15, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the state of Nagaland had been an equal partner with all the other states of the nation in the journey and “We all have been making on the path of development and prosperity.” The CM asserted that Nagaland is contributing and is a participating member of India’s nation building process.
Rio challenged the people to take a pledge to re-dedicate to work sincerely for bringing positive development in all areas. “It is our dream and our aspiration to take Nagaland forward in a progressive manner and I look forward to the cooperation and participation of all citizens, especially the youth, in our common quest to make Nagaland a much better place for the present and future generations,” Rio said.
“Let us all put our best efforts to make Nagaland shine brighter and work towards a Nagaland where peace and security prevails; where an atmosphere and platform is provided to our youth to have equal opportunities and complete with the rest of the country and the world; a society powered by economic growth with a thriving atmosphere of creativity and innovation; with the constant flowering of the human spirit and the triumph of the human endeavor.”
On Naga political issue
Touching on Naga political issue, Rio said that the Naga political groups have been in ceasefire with the Government of India for a long time and the peace talks over the years have made significant progress. It has been possible to understand each other’s position and reach a broad consensus on most of the issues, he said.
Rio said that the state government has over the past years played the role of active facilitator to the ongoing Indo-Naga political peace talks. To give further impetus to the peace talks and help arrive at the final solution at the earlier, the Parliamentary Committee on Naga political issue consisting of all the members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly and two members of Parliament has been formed.
Under the constituted Core Committee, it has appealed to the negotiating parties to move forward with a positive approach of mutual respect and set aside pre-conditions in the greater interest of the people’s cry for long term peace.
“We have also appealed all Naga political groups to make serious efforts toward unity and reconciliation,” Rio said.
The chief minister also said the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly in its recently concluded session, also appealed the Naga political negotiating groups to come together in order to hammer out their differences, and give the people an inclusive solution, which is honorable and acceptable.
Assam-Nagaland border issue
“We have a long standing inter-state border dispute with Assam,” Rio said.
Stating that there were some recent tense situations along the Assam border, he said “We took proactive steps along with Assam Government to de-escalate the situation.
A Select Committee of the House has also been constituted to examine all aspects of the Assam- Nagaland border issue. “We feel that the border issue should be settled amicably by the two state governments, by evolving the local communities from both side,” Rio said.
On COVID-19 pandemic
Rio said the ferocity of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has tested “our capacities and our resilience.” But we have made efforts to combat the pandemic successfully. We took preventive measures in time, and we move swiftly to augment our health infrastructure, particularly the availability of oxygen across the state, the most critical element in the fight against COVID-19, Rio said.
The CM said that despite the best efforts put in by everyone concerned, however, there have been cases of people succumbing due to COVID-19. Rio appealed all citizens to continue to observe COVID appropriate behavior at all times and also appealed all eligible persons to take vaccine.
“Let us remind ourselves that our conduct, behavior and safety precautions will largely determine the level of impact in the event of any further future wave,” Rio said and called upon all to continue to be vigilantly and work collectively as one united force against this global pandemic.
