Nagaland: Deputy CM clarifies allegations on state affairs

Dimapur, May 20 (EMN): Drawing a comparison from a statement made during the Central Nagaland Tribes Council meet, the office of the state deputy chief minister, Y Patton has clarified that some areas getting more benefits in terms of development does not amount to creation of division amongst the Naga family.

Highlighting the statement made during the CNTC Executive and CNTC Legislators meeting at Hotel Saramati on Jan. 15 that the formation of CNLF should not be for political purposes, even as they belonged to political parties of various affiliations including an independent, but rather fight together for what was rightfully theirs in terms of development, which was reiterated during the formation of Central Nagaland Legislators Forum at hotel Acacia on Feb. 11, a statement from the Dy. CMO informed that the Central Nagaland areas being centrally located, the people should be a bridge between the Naga brethren. 

It stated that the leader is not holding the chair for CNTC alone as alleged. People from far flung areas who have known and worked together with him knows how they have benefitted and will be in the best position to explain, adding that the Dy. CM, in his magnanimity has even adopted Noklak village, one of the remotest villages in Indo-Myanmar border under SAGY.

“Referring to Chümoukedima as a district, wherein rapid development is taking place is not a lie. Inferences can be made of any place in Nagaland that is progressing and faring better than the other. It would not be wrong to mention that the district is blessed to have better connectivity, electricity and health care facilities including the CISHR as compared to other parts of the state”.

“The only Cricket stadium in the state, Airport, SASARD, ICAR, RTO, ICFAI, Bamboo Mission, NBHM, NST Drivers Training Centre at Virazouma, Agri Expo centre, NEZCC office and NAP headquarters, PTS, NAPTC are all located in Chϋmoukedima. While other remote areas in the state do not have these privileges, he was asking why this kind of developments cannot take place in other areas if they can voice out in unity. Mention was made of Mangkolemba, Satoi and Bhandari, where basic minimum infrastructure was trailing very much behind,” it read.

‘It would not be ill intend to  say that the present NIT was shifted from Hovukhu village in Nuiland to Chümoukedima or that the Global Open University was taken from Wokha to Chümoukedima, while still functioning properly, citing flimsy reasons that Wokha was not accessible by railroads or Airport and therefore, not fit to have a head office. It is not inciting tribalism if he had impressed upon the CNTC Executives and the CNLF to fight for the oldest Law College in Mokokchung to gain government recognition and the largest and oldest Aitozu Polytechnic up-grading to an Engineering college in unity’.

It said, ‘although the deputy chief minister was aware that by calling spade a spade, which will not go down well with some sections of the society; even to the extent of questioning his integrity and position, he chose to make the statement with an intention of sharing equitable developmental activities covering all areas on one hand and for public awareness on the other. He is always of the opinion that, if Nagaland is to march ahead, we should all grow together in terms of development instead of developing few areas’.

“It is also wrong to say that the Dy. CM was targeting Chümoukedima district, as he along with five legislators of erstwhile Dimapur district, proposed the creation of the district in which he is also a resident. While it is understood that elected representatives and all public servants are accountable to the people, for their actions and also inactions, it is unfortunate that CSOs should jump the gun every time truth is spoken”, it read.

‘While the rest of the world has already taken the path to progress, we cannot afford to remain static. The youth of today should take the lead in bringing down the walls and boundaries of mistrust and engage in meaningful purposes’, it added.

Patton calls on UP CM

Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland, Y Patton called on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday to discuss various matters regarding the development models being currently implemented in UP and plans in the offing for the state.

An update from the deputy CM’s media cell said “it was informed that UP will be having the 4th largest airport in the world very soon”.

Adityanath’s keen interest in effective implementation of central and state schemes like the promotion of One District One Product (ODOP) with a diversified approach by setting up mart, helpline and cell to boost rural economy, has led to progress, said the update.

It also informed that the UP CM had assured to visit Nagaland very soon and expressed hope of fostering the mutual needs of the two states through trade relation.