Kedi Haralu
The PR Rule in Nagaland for a while did bring back old memories of the time when emergency was imposed on Nagaland and the Indian Army ran havoc with rape, murder and torture being the norm of the period/stage/era. We had lost numerous loved ones and also a lot of our elders had been scared due to torture which they suffer till today. Hence many new Secretary’s from outside Nagaland but posted in Nagaland did not understand why the public was so apprehensive on the imposition of PR Rule on Nagalnd. But times have changed and the scenario has changed, plus Nagas are no more the naeive, uneducated public anymore, but we have become more conscious due to our generation being exposed to to numerous ways things are done and not done. Human Rights Activists, NGO’s and other Social Awareness groups have contributed much to this too and it is thrir hard work and sacrifice that Nagaland is a recognized spot on the World map. But thgere are still numerous things left unfinished, especially in the rural parts of Nagaland, but I am sure trhat with the pace of development all these uncovered areas will be covered very soon. It is just a matter of time.
One most beneficial factor of PR Rule is the chance being given to the Governor to take care of the State, where development is concerned. Regardless of what party he may belong to, we should overlook the fact, for only narrow minded people are so concerned on such minute details instead of looking at a wider, broader side of the day. Now, the Governor being in charge, the Roads and Communication Sector can be directly tackled by the Governor, especially in the Urban parts of Dimapur, where earlier Contractors did a useless job so that they could gain more income. A friend once joked that the layer of tar and soiling on the roads in Dimapur were as thick as the “make up” of a Lady wife of a former Minister in Nagaland. It’s funny, but true. Yes the DAN Governments biggest achievements were the construction and repair of roads in Nagaland, but it is the Contractors who took up the work who did not do justice. One cannot blame the DAN Government for the Road condition in Nagaland, for they had successfully managed to get funds for the Construction and repair of Roads all over Nagaland, especially the Peren District Area, where the roads were at one time, so terrible that it was a place no sane, vehicle loving person would go to. Everyone preferred to take their office Jalopy’s, due to the road condition, thus the pace of development were near to nil. But now with better road conditions, several business establishments have braved themselves to venture into this area and later on more and more will come, thus improving the economy of the District. This is all due to roads and communication.
Now, the Governor has given his clarion call on the road conditions and that he would personally take care of it, which is why things are moving. Roads in Dimapur arte being repaired on a war footing but it is certainly a large area to cover. Taking this to our advantage, the Governor needs to take care of the road that leads to Kohima the Capital of Nagaland, which has become more like a paddy field in some parts, plus it has become so narrow that only one vehicle can pass at a time, and if it is one of your unlucky days a vehicle will breakdown in the middle of the small road. Manipur too contributes to the damage of out NH 39, for this is their lifeline, thus the Governor needs to ask the Manipur to pay for the damages done to the roads by their trucks and bussess, especially the oil tankers. If the Manipur Government and the various transport agencies are so willing to pay the militants for their security, then they should not complain when the compensation is sought. If I am correct, nearly a thousand trucks and busses ply to Manipur Via Dimapur and Kohima Town. This creates aa monster of a traffic jam, plus the VIP convoys with their escorts believe that they have bought the road. Yes Important VIP’s like the Governor, the CM, The Chief Secretary, the DGP, the Speaker of the House are entitled such respect and the public needs to co-operate and understand these VIP’s, for they have earned the respect of the General Public.
In Conclusion, I am glad that the Governor is a person with priorities, leaving aside his political affiliation, he is doing a wonderful job and we need to encourage him at such a time as this. For that matter, every officer or politician or business or media house do have their inclination towards a certain belief, ideology or political party. Thus we have to be broadminded and also be ready for change and development. Now the only question is does the Governor have enough time to fulfill his promises? I would be glad even if atleast 50% was achieved. The rest can be taken up and completed by th next Government.
