NPCC defends MP Jamir’s speech, rejects Therie’s criticism

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has issued a statement addressing recent comments made by former NPCC president K Therie regarding the maiden speech of Member of Lok Sabha, S Supongmeren Jamir.

It said that Therie’s assertion that there was no need for a Congress MP to support the Chiethu Airport, describing it as a pet project of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, is irrelevant, as Jamir did not mention any specific site for the airport in his speech.

It further mentioned that, as expected of an elected representative of the state, the MP had risen above politics and made a bipartisan demand for the development of an airport in Kohima in the greater public interest. This is also in line with the government of India’s goal of achieving air connectivity for all state capitals in the nation.

“Moreover, we strongly believe that raising developmental issues of collective interest is in no way a dilution of the Naga political issue, and we see no reason why the two issues can’t be addressed simultaneously,” it read.

It stated that considering the amount of time allotted to him, he had clearly and sufficiently spelled out the long cherished cries of the people of Nagaland for a final negotiated settlement between the government of India and the Naga political groups.

It added that while a single speech might not be enough to address all pressing issues, it clearly reaffirmed and set the tone for the MP’s commitment to representing the voice of the people of Nagaland in the coming days.

The NPCC urged Therie to avoid confusing the public about the party’s official stance on important issues such as the Naga political peace process and other developmental matters of public interest.