Priority on Naga solution, not state election, says Neiphiu Rio

Dimapur, Nov. 4 (EMN): Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio, on Friday said the state assembly election is just a few months away but they (legislators/ political parties) have decided not to start campaigning, and instead work for settlement of the Naga political issue first.

Rio was addressing the gathering during the inauguration of a multi-purpose hall at Zunheboto, according to an update from DPRO and IA Zunheboto.

While maintaining that they are giving priority to the Naga issue than the upcoming state assembly polls due next year, he said there are people who work and also those who only criticise others.

The chief minister reiterated that the government of India has accepted the uniqueness of the Nagas and the traditions of the Nagas were left untouched even during the British rule.

He urged the people to do away with individualism, villagism and tribalism, and come together as Nagas.

He also said that Zunheboto was known as the “Land of warriors” but the head hunting time had gone with the arrival of Christianity and civilization. He urged the people of Zunheboto to be the ‘warriors of peace’.

He went on to say that might is no more right today but “right is might”.

The chief minister also took to Twitter to congratulate the people of Zunheboto on the inauguration of Multipurpose Hall Zunheboto. “It is a testimony of unity among the people and funds being properly utilised. I hope the new facility will be taken care of and used well for the common good,” he wrote.

Minister for Agriculture, G Kaito Aye, also called upon the people of Zunheboto to come together to address the Naga political issues, while saying the legislators had joined hands for early settlement of the issue.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor for School Education, KT Sukhalu informed that INR 2 crore was initially allotted (for Zunheboto multi-purpose hall), out of which INR 60 lakh was spent on land (acquisition) and INR 60 lakh more was allotted.

He added that due to lack of fund, he approached the chief minister for INR 1 crore more, which was granted and because of which the project was materialised within the stipulated time.

Maintaining that the purchase of land for a cemetery, a longstanding need for the people of the town, has been sanctioned, he asked the chief minister to handover the cheque to the president of Sumi Hoho.

For this, he appealed to the citizens of Zunheboto to set up a committee to plan the burial in an orderly manner and sought co-operation from the churches.

Sukhalu further urged Rio “if special attention could be given for the circuit house building if they get the chance to run the government (again)”.

President of Sumi Hoho, Nikheto Jimomi, in his welcome address lauded Chief Minister Rio for his initiatives in Zunheboto district, highlighting the funds and projects sanctioned during his leadership.

He said that the purchase of land for Supply Godown at INR 70 lakh; land compensation at Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu amounting to INR 2.78 crore; Zunheboto town graveyard costing INR 66.78 lakh; land extension for Zunheboto Government College costing INR 25 lakh; and a multi-purpose hall costing INR 60 lakh, besides other development projects were done under Rio’s leadership.

The Sumi Hoho president also urged the government to introduce degree courses at the Khelhoshe Polytechnic Atoizu at the earliest time, from next academic session if possible, mentioning that the institute was established about 50 years ago.

The President of NDPP, Zunheboto region, and member of the multi-propose hall construction committee, said while presenting the project report that the Sumi Hoho requested the chief minister during Ahuna Festival 2018 to construct a hall as Zunheboto town didn’t have such a facility. He said that the project has become a reality while lauding legislator Sukhalu and the district officials for their unceasing participation.

He went on to inform that the building was constructed under the Tribal Affairs department with an amount of INR 3 crore and the land was acquired from the Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto.

Earlier in the programme, the chief minister unveiled the monolith of the multi-purpose hall.