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KOHIMA — The 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s budget session began on Monday with the customary speech by Governor La. Ganesan, who focused on a pertinent issue, namely the suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border, among others.
Earlier in January, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the government would soon fence the 1,643-km border between India and Myanmar and consider ending the FMR agreement with the neighbouring country.
“This (suspension of FMR) has evoked concern and anxiety among our people, especially those staying in the border areas,” Ganesan remarked.
Considering the opposition from various quarters in Nagaland and the Naga communities across the border, the governor said that the state government is requesting that the central government reconsider its decision.
“In view of Naga history, the close tribal and family bonds shared by people across the borders, and also the traditional ownership of land in many cases transcending international boundaries, we are seeking reconsideration of the decision by the Central Government and for the continuance of the FMR,” he said.
Ganesan went on to say that the state government has requested that the central government make appropriate regulations for the movement of people across borders in consultation with the state government.
“We are also seeking to bring in the Village Council Authorities concerned in the entire system of regulations of the FMR for its proper and smooth implementation. We remain hopeful of an early and favourable response to our plea,” he added.
The governor also drew attention to the unresolved Naga political issue, stating that it has been one of the major constraints in the pursuit of development and welfare goals.
Stating that it has been the cherished dream of everyone in Nagaland to witness the final solution to the issue and to live and work in a peaceful environment, he called upon “all the stakeholders to overcome their differences and any other remaining obstacles, and to thrash out the final solution in a spirit of give and take.”
Ganesan maintained that the present government would continue to give ‘highest importance’ to the peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue and “take every possible step in furthering and strengthening the ongoing peace process and in playing the role of an active and constructive facilitator.”
Expressing gratitude to the members of the house for forming an opposition-less government to facilitate an early resolution to the issue, he reiterated that the government is “ready to pave the way for the final solution that is honourable, acceptable, and inclusive.”
He also went on to list the achievements and initiatives taken up by the state government in various sectors and called on the members to use these achievements as motivation to work even harder and take development and progress to every nook and cranny of the state.
Besides the governor’s address, the first day of business included paying obituary references to former governor PB Acharya, former NLA members Hokheto Sema, SK Sangtam, and L Khumo, as well as former Lok Sabha Speaker and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Manohar Gajanan Joshi.
On the second day of the budget session, members of the house are expected to make remarks on the governor’s 41-minute-long speech. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will also present the budget for the fiscal year 2024–25 on the same day.