Entire Nagaland state to come under ILP purview

Our Correspondent Kohima, Feb. 21 (EMN): In a major announcement, the governor of Nagaland PB Acharya on Thursday said that the state government has decided to promulgate the Inner Line Permit (ILP) throughout Nagaland, including Dimapur district. Delivering his customary address during the third session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly that began on Thursday in Kohima, the governor said the state government was committed towards streamlining the process of issuing ILP in order to ensure that no “illegal immigrant” is allowed entry to the state. He sought the “active support” of Naga civil society organisations, village councils and the citizens in helping government agencies to enforce the regulation. The governor said that the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) was a serious concern to all sections, and "we are also aware of the threat that is posed to our society by illegal migrants in the state." Accordingly, he said, the government had set up a committee to suggest measures to strengthen the existing system of issue of ILP in the state as well as to recommend modalities to check influx of ‘illegal migrants.’ Acharya said that the state government’s top agenda was to bring an early resolution to the Naga political issue. He promised to ensure accountability of government to the people, towards which the government has appointed Lokayukta for the state. The governor pointed that all the districts in Nagaland have women-specific police stations, which arguably have ensured that Nagaland remains one of the safest states for women in the country. On the topic of food safety, the governor said the state’s Health department has carried out vigorous checks on quality of food products and the use of harmful chemicals for preservation by vendors. Towards this objective, the Municipal Affairs department had also organised street food festivals in Kohima and other urban areas as part of Shehri Samridhhi Utsav, he said. Acharya added that for better healthcare, the state government has signed an MoU for establishment of a National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Branch in Dimapur. The measles rubella vaccination campaign achieved 97.80% target due to the coordinated efforts of the Health department’s personnel and positive support of the public and institutions, he said. Acharya stated that the key focus has been on ensuring doubling of farmers’ incomes with special thrust on organic farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, coffee production and sericulture. Stressing on the importance of information technology, he said that it is a sector with great potential for the state to create jobs for the youth. He said that the state government has established Anghya Market Linkage Hubs in all the district HQs of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, and Kiphire; and created the ‘Anghya’ brand for packaging/marketing and linkages with outlets in and outside the state. Also stressing on the importance of air and rail connectivity, he said that the state government is pursuing with government of India for approval of the Greenfield airport at Ciethu, Kohima. Also in order to augment air services in the state, three new routes were taken up under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) and very soon, Dimapur will be connected with Guwahati, Imphal and Dibrugarh, he informed. He also mentioned about getting approval for two helicopters each in all district headquarters, which will help the citizens, especially during emergency medical cases. The governor also congratulated the Nagaland government for the successful installation of Astroturf facility at the IG Stadium in Kohima; construction of outdoor stadiums at Pughoboto and Mon. In Tourism sector, he said that the government has taken up several innovative concepts and ideas with the aim to promote the state’s tourism in a sustainable manner. He further added that Mini Hornbill Festivals coinciding with respective tribal festivals have been a huge success as not only the tourism calendar has expanded to being round the year but it has also allowed tourists to explore all corners of the state. Other festivals such as Dzukou Valley Festival; Amur Falcon Conservation Week and Festival at Doyang; the People’s Festival at Khezhakeno have the potential of making Nagaland a top tourist destination in the country, he said. The motion of thanks on the governor's address was moved by Tovihoto Ayemi, and N Bongkhao Konyak, seconded the motion on the first day of the third session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.