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EMN DIMAPUR, JANUARY 22
A delegation of North East Regional Parties Front (NERPF) met President Pranab Mukherjee, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and BJP President Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on January 21. The delegation was led by NERPF Convenor and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. Other members of the delegation included Chief Advisor Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Co-Convenor and Asom Gana Parishad Working President Atul Bora, Manipur People’s Party (MPP) President N. Sovakiran, United Democratic Party, Meghalaya, MLAS Dr. Jemino Mawthoh and T. Chyne, General Secretary of the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) JK Riba, Adviser of Mizo National Front (MNF) HV Lalringa, General Secretary of Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) Agore Deb Barma and Press Secretary of Naga People’s Front (NPF) and NERPF Secretary Abu Metha. A memorandum consisting of a 17-point resolution was submitted to the President, the Union Home Minister and the BJP President, NERPF Secretary Abu Metha said in a release today. The Convenor of the NERPF highlighted the contents of the resolutions and urged upon the Government of India to seriously address the issues in the greater interest of the country and the people of the north eastern region in particular. Some of the key issues that were brought to the notice of the Central government included the continuous influx of illegal immigrants into the region and the lack of effective steps on the part of the Government of India to contain it. The NERPF also called for immediate cancellation of land swap deal by the Central government with Bangladesh and the repeal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The front further expressed concern on Chinese incursions in Arunachal Pradesh and objected to the random manner in which massive dams are being constructed in the upper reaches of the Bramaputra in China which have the potential to adversely impact the entire region in multiple ways including possibility of natural disasters. Serious concern on the safety and security of the north eastern people especially students, professionals and working women in the urban cities especially in the national capital region were brought to the notice of the Centre. The NERPF urged upon the Government of India to address the political problems of the region and bring about permanent solution to the decades old political problems that have resulted in insurgencies. The front called upon the Centre to take the people of the region into confidence and offered all cooperation to play the role of facilitators to bring about peace in the region.
Rio demands better road, air connectivity
EMN DIMAPUR, JANUARY 22
CHIEF MINISTER Neiphiu Rio along with Planning and Urban development Minister TR Zeling and Parliamentary Secretary for National Highway Mechanical Nuklutoshi called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highway Oscar Fernandes at his office in New Delhi on January 21 and apprised him about the Foot Hill Road. Rio said the foothill road is the top most priority road of the state. The CM demanded that SARDP (NE) four roads which are under construction should be completed at the earliest as the public are suffering for last two years due to lack of better communication. He also said four laning of NH-29 from Dimapur to Kohima should be started at the earliest since the project was announced in 2003 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. NH-02 from Kohima-Wokha-Mokokchung needs to be improved as it passes through the middle of the state and is the most important road of the state, Rio stated. Later on the day, Rio along with TR Zelang called on Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh. During the meeting, Rio apprised him about the poor air connectivity in Nagaland. He also urged Singh to fly at least ATR from Dimapur to Guwahati and Dimapur to Kolkata everyday as Dimapur is not only the centre to the flying requirement of Nagaland people but adjoining districts of Assam. The CM also requested him to review the Chethu Airport Project to which the Union minister directed his officer concerned to send a survey team immediately.