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Our Correspondent
Pfutsero Jan. 23 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday stressed on the need for Nagas to unite for permanent settlement of the protracted Naga political issue and lamented that ‘many people talk about politics but there is hardly anyone to act and take corrective measures’.
He was addressing the platinum jubilee of the Pfutseromi Students’ Union that coincided with the 71st General Conference of the Chakhesang Students’ Union at Pfutseromi village in Phek district on January 23.
The chief minister told the gathering that for decades, ‘Nagas have suffered for the Naga Political issue because it is our birthright but we have to be reasonable, responsible and we have to be reasonable in the manner that we understand what is possible, what is not possible, what is achievable and what is not achievable.’
Rio also highlighted his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and maintained that the government of India is serious in its effort to resolve the Naga Political issue with the breakthrough of October 31, 2019; which now requires inking the discrepancies and agreement in order for permanent peace in Nagaland that would pave the way for development.
“The ball is now in our court,” he said while appealing to all the Naga political groups to come together and urged the civil society groups, mass base groups and public leaders to help unite the Nagas. “Otherwise we will miss the golden opportunity and we will continue to suffer,” he said, adding that the government of India had recognised “our history, our culture and tradition”.
He asked the gathering to ponder on questions like: “Nagas, are we overconfident? Nagas, are we taking life very lightly, our issue very casually?” Inclusive of the leaders, youth and the Naga community, we are taking everything for granted, he added.
He maintained that the menace of war, starting from the Labour Corps in the First World War, the Second World War and then the Naga political issue had devastated the state but he urge the gathering to rebuild the same to advance and progress through peace building, the exploit the potentials of the youth and development.
He also hoped and wished the New Year would be prosperous, meaningful and successful, that would promote brotherhood and harmony among the Nagas. On the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Rio maintained that the demand of the Nagas in the 16-Point Agreement for Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act (BEFRA) 1873 was granted to the state of Nagaland through the act that has incorporated in the constitution, giving so many rights to the people with regards to customary, traditions, land and resources, besides exemption from income tax and property tax. “I feel that we are completely protected (from CAA),” he added. However, he felt the need for careful implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the entire state, with Dimapur district having being included under the purview of ILP. He also said that Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) has been necessitated to identify the genuine indigenous people of the state. “I feel that today Nagas are safer, and if we do correctly about RIIN, we will be much better,” he added. On the recently concluded Khelo India Youth Games that was held at Guwahati, Rio highlighted the results and achievements of various states and expressed his displeasure over Nagaland not winning even a single medal, while Maharashtra got the highest with 255 medals. He opined that the society, particularly the youth are very complacent and taking life very casually. The chief minister maintained that the youths must take life seriously amidst all challenges, away from dependency syndrome on government job, at a time when the state has highest educated unemployed youths despite having highest government job holders according to its ratio. He encouraged them to venture into entrepreneurship. To the students, he said, “You are our hope and the future; tomorrow you’ll be taking our place as leaders of our people. We have to take life seriously and learn, equip ourselves to face the challenging world.” The youth of today should pursue their dreams; their dreams will be a reality, he added. “Education is very interesting and education is a very serious business,” Rio said, adding that it is one of the best things that had ever happened to Naga society after Christianity. The chief minister said, “Education is everything, and therefore I feel that we should pursue education very seriously, and then we should take this student period (life) very seriously so that we build our future through knowledge.” “In fact education is life itself,” he added. He maintained that our society is an educated society but not a refined and civilised one. Stating that it takes time to become a “civilised society”, he stressed on the importance of having self control, being disciplined, manage emotions, anger, anxiety and being a responsible person. Rio also expressed happiness that the Chakhesang people still uphold their rich tradition. “I have high respect for the Chakhesang community and I tell people that Phek district it is traditional district,” he said. The chief minister also asserted that the Chakhesang tribe is the most progressive tribe in the state of Nagaland, for its sincerity and seriousness in doing things. The minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu appreciated the chief minister for his concern for the people of the district. He added that the youth and students will have a better future under Rio’s dynamic and able leadership.