Governor reminds local newspapers of their role in ‘changing people’s mindset’

Dimapur, Aug. 10 (EMN): The governor of Nagaland, PB Acharya on Friday encouraged Nagaland-based newspapers to play a “dominant-pivotal role” in changing the mindset of Naga people. He made this challenge while adressing editors and reporters at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.

Citing his travels to the interior parts of Nagaland, Acharya reminded the group of journalists that some parts of Nagaland receive newspaper copies ‘only after two to three days of publication’ rendering its values ‘lost’ by the time it reaches the subscribers.

A strong media, he said, was needed for a healthy democracy. “We are very weak in strengthening democracy. To strengthen democracy we need to have a strong media; it is the most essential part of the democracy.”

According to Acharya, people have the mindset about ‘Nagaland as an insurgency-state, which is anti-India.’ However, he informed that Nagaland had supplied 3000 ex-servicemen to various security forces in the country.

Banks for economic development
Aside Kohima and Dimapur, he said, there were hardly any bank branches in other districts. “People in rural areas are unaware of the banking facilities and schemes provided by the government through banks. A meeting with twenty bank representatives was held on 9th February 2018 at Raj Bhavan Kohima to discuss about opening branches in the other districts of Nagaland.

“Following the meeting only five banks including Nagaland Rural Bank, Nagaland State Co-operative Bank Ltd, UCO Bank Central Bank of India and United Bank of India responded to the call. I have written to these banks to open up new bank branches in strategic rural areas to enable people of the area to avail banking facilities and for implementation of central and state flagship welfare programmes,” he said.

Unrecognised villages
Citing government records, he informed that there are 120 unrecognised villages in Nagaland as of July this year. Those villages, he reminded, were without polling stations.

Connecting NRC and ILP
The governor underscored that the ‘sensitive issue of illegal immigrants’ should be tackled properly in light of the Assam government publishing its National Register of Citizens recently. “If some are sent out stating that they are not Indians, it is possible that they could come to the borders of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, so this issue has to be tackled carefully. Even the ILP is not properly working out. So many people have come to Mon. They have to come with a proper visa,” he said.

Monsoon fury and SOS
Achraya also appealed to the citizens of the state to donate generously towards the relief fund set up by the state government. “People should stand in solidarity with the distressed, affected people in the state and be part of the effort to support them in this hour of crisis.”

Tharoor should apologise
Commenting on the controversy over Shasho Tharoor’s remark on Naga headgear, Acharya said the senior Congress leader should apoligise to the Naga people. “Such a statement from a highly qualified person, who also represented the people of India, is extremely regrettable and unacceptable. The respected Member of Parliament must apologise to the people of Nagaland in particular and the nation in general.”

To enable the disabled
According to the governor the total number of persons with disabilities in the state of Nagaland was approximately 29631; whereas disability certificates were issued only to 6392 (in both old ans new formats).

“There is a need to organise special camps for certification and issuance of disability certificates to eligible persons so that they are able to avail the schemes, programmes and benefits meant for them. I appreciate Kiphire for organising the differently able assessment camp under Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana scheme in fifteen different locations over the district,” he said.