Dimapur, February 15 (MExN): The Congress has promised a separate Secretariat for Eastern Nagaland if voted to power. According to a press note received here, the opposition Congress which was banking on anti-incumbency factor of the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) today said if they are voted to power, it would establish a separate Secretariat for the districts of Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Tuensang.
“You will not go to Kohima anymore” former chief minister, SC Jamir told the people at Tobu. The four districts have been demanding for a separate state, “Frontier Nagaland” led by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO). He asked people to vote for the Congress for a change and promised all round development of the districts through various special initiatives. He said, today, the people of ENPO have been left to their own fate due to bad governance and practice of favoritism by the present government.
The party said it would also establish a special branch to monitor implementation of job reservation for “backward” people. Jamir promised better roads, quality health care and education system, job avenues for youths and equal share of development. ‘For the last ten years NPF government has kept people in the dark’ he added. He said people especially from the four districts had been going through untold suffering but their plight went unnoticed by Rio’s government. He however assured of addressing the grievances and plight of the people once Congress comes to power.
Jamir accused the NPF of “fragmenting Naga society, including militant groups.” “NPF has made the state more backward” he lashed out at the NPF government. He said that during this election it would be a fight between money power and the people, and he urged voters not to succumb to money power. “The contest will be between money power and people’s power” he said. He also assured of master-plan and vision document for the four districts for faster development, particularly focusing on better road connectivity with Burma.
Former Deputy Chief Minister, IK Sema who accompanied Jamir said peace came to Nagaland state during the rule of then Congress Prime Minister, Narishma Rao and Chief Minister, SC Jamir and not as claimed by Rio and his party. He said it was rather the NPF government which has fragmented both overground and underground groups. Promising a sea of change if Congress comes to power, he said Congress was determined to oust the corrupt NPF government. The two Congress leaders addressed public rallies at Tobu, Longchang and Mopang in Mon district.
