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Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday expressed disappointment over civil society organisations (CSOs) trying to dictate the elected government, saying that organisations sometimes say what they are not supposed to and act like they know better than the government.
He said this during the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) thanksgiving programme at Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Headquarters in Chümoukedima after its consensus candidate S Keoshu Yimchunger (NDPP) was elected unopposed in the 58-Shamator-Chessore (ST) Assembly Constituency (AC) bye-election.
Rio lamented that there are many leaders who can advise and direct but very few doers.
Stating that many organisations had started giving its own opinions on the recent issue in connection with the shifting of some cells to the new DC Complex in Chümoukedima, he asked if the elected representatives will run the government or the civil societies.
He also clarified that there was no official order as such to shift the Dimapur DC office to Chümoukedima, and the only decision taken was to create ADC, Sub Treasury and Seithekima EAC to work under ADC, to be posted at the new DC Complex at Chümoukedima.
He said that organisations should not threaten and pressure the government with ultimatum, memorandum or deadline. If there are genuine reasons, he said, they should approach the government for talks, sit across the table and share their minds instead of sharing their ideas and opinions in media.
Even the government also sometimes makes wrong decisions or mistakes, but if they discuss, all things can be resolved, he said while asking the organisations to make an appointment for meeting with the government if they want any change.
In regards to ultimatum submitted by Dimapur District Citizens Forum (DDCF) to the state government to revoke the order of shifting Dimapur district headquarters to Chümoukedima, Rio asserted that a committee headed by the commissioner had already been set up for all district demands.
Terming their demand on headquarters tag as unreasonable, he said that it was during SC Jamir’s chief ministership that the cabinet had decided to name Chümoukedima as the headquarters of Dimapur, whereby a notification was issued on November 10, 1997. “How can we withdraw an order that was issued more than 20 years ago?” he asked.
The CM said that there was no complain in the beginning ‘but now they have turned it into a tribalism issue which is very dirty politics’. He lamented that there is so much tribalism over every issue. However, he assured that the government will resolve all these and do justice to all concerned.
He further encouraged the party workers, saying that ‘to give good governance, we have to educate the people and encouraged them to re-dedicate themselves and gain loyalty to the party and bring changes to the society’.
Rio also congratulated the new MLA S Keoshu Yimchunger and thanked all the supporters and well-wishers, including tribal hohos of Yimchunger and Tikhir, saying that unity is very rare in Naga society.
He stated that winning the bye-election uncontested is an example of success story of the UDA. ‘Unity can conquer anything; it is very costly thing to be united but it brings all the good ingredients,’ he asserted.
‘In times like this, we can do something good for the state and the top most priority of UDA government is Nagaland political issue,’ he said.
Further stressing on the Naga political issue, Rio said that they had met with the leaders of the NSCM (IM) as well as the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) and discussed the issue.
‘We have changed the governor and interlocutor and resumed negotiation which was stopped for two years due to misunderstandings between the negotiating parties,’ he said. On October 31, 2091, it was stated that the talk concluded but there was no solution, so now we have opened a new chapter and the talk in ongoing and the meeting is positively going on, he added.
‘Nagas are one, Naga political issue is also one and so solution should also be one,’ he stated, adding that the government of India (GoI) is talking with everyone, and it is the Centre’s responsibly to bring them together to sign the settlement.
He reiterated that the main issues are the demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas
“Naga issue is a political issue and GoI has recognised the uniqueness of Naga history and its present position, so we need our flag and constitution though it may be within the Indian union,” he said.
He also appealed to the public not to blindly complain and comment on the issue but let the negotiators do their work, saying that ‘we only create misunderstanding with our own opinion and perception’.
‘I am confident that solution should come, he stated, adding that “we are hopeful but negotiating party will say the last word”.
“I am telling the Naga public, we should not miss this opportunity because another chance like this will not come. We all must work for it to find solution and that solution will come when we all work together,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Yimchunger pledged to serve the people and the party in every possible way and that he would be available for any services for the betterment of the society.
He thanked the chief minister, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, UDA partners BJP and NPF, and others for choosing him.
“It is with great humility I bow before you all for having confidence in me and bestowing the prestigious party ticket to me in this bye election 2021. Today, I stand victorious with the blessings from above and my great leaders. In this victory I have learnt to become more humble and more dedicated towards the party and its principles,” he said, while acknowledging the Yimkhiung Tribal Council for taking the initiative.
Abu Metha, Secretary General of NDPP andAadvisor to Chief Minister, said that the victory of the joined UDA candidate is a victory of the government as a whole. It is a victory of the people of Nagaland, a victory for unity as we further strengthen the call for oneness, brotherhood and reconciliation among the Naga society, he stated.
Khevishe Achumi, General Secretary of BJP Nagaland, also appealed to the people of Shamator to work hand in hand with the newly elected representative, saying that he alone couldn’t fulfil all the dreams and wishes.
Chingwang Konyak and legislator Imkong Imchen also congratulated the newly elected candidate.