EMN
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 5
Lok Sabha MP Shri Neiphiu Rio visited Mon district and called upon the people to come forward and support the peace process. Interacting with the leaders and representatives of the Eastern Naga Public Organisation (ENPO) Rio urged upon the people to unite and come forward in support of peace for development and progress.
During his two days visit, Rio visited the Food Corporation of India facilities and took an on the spot assessment of the food stocks in the district. He also attended the Miss Mon Beauty Pageant organised by the KNSK as the chief guest. In his address, he challenged the youth to work towards their dreams and aspirations through hard work, dedication and commitment.
Rio also had interactive meetings with the district administration and officers of various departments located in Mon, including public leaders, youth, civil societies and concerned citizens.
The MP visited the legendary and historic village of Longwa on the Indo-Myanmar border as he plans to adopt the village under the national flagship SAGY programme. At Longwa, he had a consultative meeting with the village leaders, civil society representatives and administrative officials in order to undertake development programmes at Longwa.
A delegation of Nagas from Myanmar called on Rio during his visit. Rio extended his best wishes for successful conduct of democratic elections in Myanmar. He also urged them to work towards achievement of permanent peace for the sake of progress and development of the Naga community though peaceful means and honorable negotiations.
The Lok Sabha MP was accompanied by officers of the State Government, senior leaders, State Level Consultative Committee members of FCI and civil society representatives.
Rio adopts Longwa village
DIPR adds: Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio visited Longwa village and adopted the village under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) Scheme. He along with Naga architectures, advisors and consultants visited Longwa on November 4 and held public meetings with the leaders and elders of the village in the presence of the government officers and NGO leaders of the district.
Addressing the public at the residence of the Chief Angh of Longwa, he informed that the purpose of his visit is to have good partnership with the people and convergences of various departments to work for the growth and economic development of Longwa. He exhorted the people to utilize the given opportunity with sincerity and responsibility, and become self-reliant model village. In order to achieve its goal Rio urged the people to extend full cooperation and support to the workers and said the progress and failure of the mission will largely depend upon the response of the people.
Asserting that Longwa is an attractive tourist spot owing to various unique history of people of two nations living together with Angh’s resident in the middle of the International border of India and Myanmar, Rio said tourists from all over the world visit the village to learn the unique culture of the people and added that exposing of good Naga culture and building good relationship with Myanmar lies with the people of Longwa. He informed to renovate the guest house, construction of museum and renovation of the Angh’s resident with modified setting room with Naga design and culture for the current year. He also emphasized on sanitation and cleanliness to attract tourism in the village.
Rio also informed that during his tenure as Chief Minister he had initiated various means to recognize the Naga people of Burma and to be included under the redrafting of the constitutions of Myanmar in 2008 through the Burmese Ambassador in Delhi and other tribal leaders. He pointed out that it resulted in the creation of Naga Self Autonomous Government in Myanmar. Since then various developments have been initiated in the Naga inhabited land in Myanmar and construction of connectivity roads have been done and are continuing in the border areas with the assistance of the government of India.
Rio then appealed to the leaders of the border areas to take good initiative to find permanent settlement for the Nagas of Myanmar and India. He also appealed to the NSCN (K) to come to the negotiating table to develop the region and at the same time to find permanent solution to the problem through the policy of peace and reconciliation.
Rio also held meeting with the government officers at Walo Guest House and later jointly with the village elders and officers at Longwa to acquire the status report of the village and convergence of various development projects in the village. Rio was accompanied by Pohwang MLA, the President ENPO, ADC Mon, Government officers, NGOs & Public leaders of the district.
Longwa is the second largest village under RD block Phomching with total population of 5673 and 742 tax paying households. It is situated at 40 Km away from the district headquarters with Burma on the east and Arunachal Pradesh on the north. Longwa is a village well known for handicrafts. Majority of the people are engaged in agriculture. Around 519 households are engaged in cultivation of cardamom, due to which the village economy have risen to a large extend. The literacy rate of the village is very low with 14 % as per 2011 census. It has three schools with one GPS, One GMS and a private school.
The main objective of the SAGY scheme is development of model village through the implementation of the existing schemes, creating models of local development which can be replicated in the other village. It is a national programme announced by the Prime Minister of India.
