Dimapur, May 19 (EMN): The Chümoukedima Town Youth Organisation (CTYO) has denounced the recent public statement of the deputy chief minister, Y Patton, during the CNTC programme, which it alleged was ‘laced with malicious intent to provoke and create division amongst the Naga family.’
CTYO stated that the open insinuation of nepotism and hatred, pitting one section against another while holding the chair of deputy CM of a state government was unbecoming, which deserved condemnation by all right-thinking citizens.
A CTYO press release through its media cell demanded to know whether the deputy CM was only for CNTC areas and for indulging in favouritism and targeting other sections and areas, specifically Chümoukedima district. Stating that Patton has been in the ruling government for almost 20 years, CTYO pointed out that he is the right person to tell why developmental activities had not been widespread as ought to be and only concentrated to certain pockets as he himself alleged. Stating that Patton has held various crucial portfolios since 2008, CTYO claimed that if development has been injudicious, he himself was to be blamed.
“Can he, by any remote possibility, show some or any developmental activities he had initiated, taken up or even contemplated in Chümoukedima area? Or is he simply rash and thoughtless enough to segregate and isolate the different communities which have made Chümoukedima their permanent homes?” CTYO questioned.
CTYO claimed that the content of his speech was contradictory because on the one hand, he spoke on the need for Nagas of Nagaland to come together to protect their rights, but in the same breath ranted about the need to strengthen the bond of the three tribes and even going to the extent of demanding 35% job reservations.
While countering the claim that all developmental activities are concentrated in Chümoukedima and as a result the rest were deprived, CTYO apprised Patton that Chümoukedima town is a cosmopolitan town inhabited by all Naga and Non-Naga communities, who have been peacefully coexisting for decades. Contrary to the claims, CTYO stated that a greater portion of Chümoukedima district is in utter neglect and shambles with the exception of the newly constructed national highway stretch.
CTYO, therefore, impressed upon the deputy CM to look into the grievances of the inhabitants of Chümoukedima district on the lack of basic amenities in all its administrative areas such as paved roads, government schools and colleges, health centres and hospital and basic water supply. It further hoped that the deputy CM would take a tour to access all the areas under Chümoukedima district and diligently look into those grievances accumulated over 20 years of neglect.
CNSA clarifies Patton’s statement
The Central Nagaland Students Association (CNSA) has clarified to the Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) pertaining to the recent statement made by Y Patton, deputy chief minister, regarding the reservation system stating that it was not intended to hurt the sentiments of the Chakhesang tribe.
An update from the CNSA stated that Patton only expressed concern about the present system of backward quota reservation that it should be implemented in a pocket-wise system for an equal opportunity and without any discrimination on tribal line.
It quoted Patton as saying that ‘some parts of the Makolumba area (Ao), Bhandari area (Lotha) and Satoi area (Sumi) were the most backward’.
The CNSA further urged the state government to review the reservation policy of the state and urged all right-thinking citizens ‘to come unitedly as brothers and build a new Nagaland.’
