Nagaland assembly election to be deferred if Naga issue is solved at around that time, says Chief Minister

Kezoma Urban Station inaugurated

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 28 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday said that the upcoming state assembly election, which due in the first quarter of 2023, will be deferred for some time if a solution to the Naga political issue is arrived at during that time.

Speaking at the inaugural programme of Kezoma Urban Station in Kohima district, Rio said this is necessary as there will be an interim period for fulfillment of the commitments and increasing seats in the Legislative Assembly and parliaments, as well as economic package for development activities in the event of final settlement.

However, he said there will be election even if a solution is arrived at or not, being in a democratic country. So, he urged the people to choose their representatives wisely.

He also said that Naga people have suffered and deprived of development and opportunities for more than 70 years, owing to the unresolved Naga political issue. Highlighting the recent development in the Naga political issue, he said Nagas must unite and resolve the issue for ushering in a dawn of development and progress for posterity.

Need for town planning

Rio stressed on to need for town planning and heightening of economic activities during the inauguration of Kezoma Urban Station. While congratulating the people, he assured that the government would collectively work for the people.

He said that the Kezocha Urban Station was one of the 13 urban stations the state Cabinet had approved and notified by the government on July 4, 2022.

He informed that the state now has three municipal councils, 36 townships with town councils and 13 urban stations, comprising people from various parts of the state and villages while citing 2011 census that indicates over 50% migration from rural to towns.

Now that Kezoma is a town, he told the people to foster unity and at the same time upkeep the tradition and culture of Nagas, while complying with the government’s directives and notifications.

The CM expressed hope that Kezoma, being an urban station now and situated at strategic location, will witness leverage in terms of development. In this regard, he urged the leaders and the public to co-ordinate with the Urban Development department for proper mapping and town planning.

Maintaining that there are less army activities at the Chakhabama military station with the security situation improving in the state, he assured to discuss with the government about the proposal to vacate some army occupied land for development purpose in Kezo-town as well as to work on the mapping and planning for the same (development project).

He also told the people to plan for construction of a circular road in order to ease transportation of goods, while asserting that gravity-based water supply system should be adopted in the area and not pumping, considering the durability.

Rio went on to emphasise that business and other economic activities should be heightened in urban stations and towns, for which the youth should be trained professionally and take up business and also establish local markets with locally grown products, handicrafts and other items.

Citing the national highway and a two-lane road passing through the town, he urged the people to see the huge potential and take it as an opportunity for enhancing economic activities.

The chief minister also requested the people of the 15th Southern Angami II Assembly Constituency (AC) to re-elect the sitting MLA Zale Neikha, who is currently the Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, in the upcoming state assembly election for more “fruits”, development of the area and for the good of the people.

He went on to announce and sanction the construction of a multi-purpose hall (indoor stadium) with two badminton courts in the newly inaugurated urban station, while asking the people to construct a playground, for which he assured to construct a rostrum.

Rio acknowledged all the Nagas for showering their love upon him. He also extended his acknowledgement to the Tenyimia community for the love and blessings.

Earlier in the programme, the chief minister unveiled the Kezoma Urban Station monolith in the presence of a host of legislators and leaders from neighbouring villages.

Speaking at the event, local MLA Zale Neikha acknowledged the chief minister and Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, for approving the Urban Station at Kezoma.

He also appealed to the CM to take up development works in the Kezoma Urban Station considering the availability of land, in order to provide opportunities to the youth and the citizens.

Zadeho Rikha, Vice-president (Judicial) of Angami Public Organisation (APO), informed that Kezhocha range has seven villages with Kezo town situated in a strategic location though it is deprived of development for over half a century. Rikha also acknowledged the government led by Neiphiu Rio and legislator Neikha for fulfilling the aspiration of the people for township status.

Short speeches were also delivered by Viyol Thuphre, VCC Sakhabama; Medovi Yongo, VCC Kezobasa; Krocho Kiso, Chairman Kezo Town; and Kikrosa Naki, VCC Kezoma. They thanked the CM and local MLA for fulfilling the long-felt aspiration of the people.