DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 23 (MExN): Home Minister Imkong Imchen has appreciated and welcomed the statement of Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) that the opposition’s office would join in the present reconciliation process. Imchen addressed a press conference at the NPF’s office at Midland in Dimapur today.
Referring to himself as a “concerned public servant” aside from being a member of the DAN Government, Imchen said the Congress statement is a very important statement which deserves sincere appreciation and consideration.
If the particular statement of the Congress is to be believed and if the NPCC stood by its statement “unlike before”, Imchen said it would give a tremendous boost to Naga politics. Through their efforts to bring about unity among Naga factions, Imchen said, a “common agenda framework” can be presented to the Government of India to expedite a solution to the Naga political issue.
On the law and order front, Imchen claimed that the police are ‘doing splendidly in maintaining law and order in the state’. He appealed to the people ‘to cooperate with the police’ and ‘for better results’. The Home Minister said there is no ‘shortage’ in the police department but expressed dissatisfaction with the “interstate intelligence sharing mechanism”. He however, credited the “improvement of law and order” to not “just the efforts of the government” but also to that of Naga civil society and citizens.
Curiously, the Home Minister also sought to convey his “profound gratitude” to the Naga underground leaders “for listening and heeding the voice of the Naga people for reconciliation among themselves and maintaining peace between them”.
“It is by no means a small achievement, it is by no means a small understanding” the Home Minister gushed, adding that their decision to maintain peace itself, demonstrated their desire “to provide” peace to the people. The minister expressed optimism that the Naga underground groups would ‘continue to maintain peace in the state and avoid bloodshed’. Wishing all the underground cadres, irrespective of factions, a merry Christmas and happy New Year, Imchen expressed optimism that year 2009 would be ‘more peaceful and harmonious than 2008’.
The Home Minister went on to appeal to civil society and citizens to continue their support and efforts to bring unity among the underground groups. “These NGOs and civil societies have contributed immensely and tendered sacrifices which the general public have not noticed and seen” he said. The tireless efforts are bringing good results for the public, he said.
The Home Minister also acknowledged and welcomed the veteran Congress leaders from Dimapur who resigned from the primary and active membership of the party to join the NPF. Informing that these leaders had joined the regional party without any condition, Imchen maintained that their joining had given a huge moral boost to the NPF.
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