Union minister, Mokokchung leaders discuss development priorities

MOKOKCHUNG — Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, emphasised the Government of India’s (GoI) commitment to the development of Northeast India, including Nagaland, during his maiden visit to Mokokchung on Tuesday. He described the region as an integral part of the nation’s development agenda.

In an interaction held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, the minister engaged with representatives from the district machinery and local communities. Responding to various issues and suggestions, he assured attendees that their inputs would be forwarded to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Office for prompt action.

Ao Senden President, Marsanen Imsong, appealed for the total repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the district, stating that Mokokchung is a peaceful place and cannot be classified under “disturbed areas.”

He also highlighted the border disputes with the neighbouring district of Assam and requested the minister’s intervention for an amicable resolution.

Supplementing this, the Forest Department detailed the ongoing challenges in four reserved forests bordering Assam. Despite 80 percent of these forests belonging to Naga communities, maintenance responsibilities have been assigned to the Assam Forest Department. This arrangement, a Forest official explained, has led to the exploitation of villagers and hindered their livelihoods, citing a recent incident where the National Board of Wild Life permitted oil and gas exploration in Dissoi Reserved Forest, which reportedly belongs to the Naga people.

To prevent further conflicts and protect the rights of local villagers, the Forest Department formally requested the transfer of maintenance responsibilities for these border forests to Nagaland.

The president further brought attention to the district’s water scarcity problem, urging the minister to assist in finding a solution.

In this connection, the PHED Mokokchung Division requested for expedited approval of a 2021 DPR to improve water supply to Mokokchung town. The minister assured consideration of the DPR.

Representatives from the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) raised the need for a music academy and an electric crematorium in the town, while the president of Watsu Mungdang emphasised the need for a proper market space for women vegetable vendors.

The poor condition of roads in Mokokchung town and rural areas was a major concern raised by both the Watsu Mungdang and the Public Works Department (National Highways). The department emphasised that only 37% of the district’s 1,700 km road network consists of all-weather roads. Since the central projects fund is only for new construction and upgradation, they called for a special fund for maintaining existing roads.

The minister and his delegation received calls to increase the Old Age Pension, stagnant for nine years and leaving thousands of eligible beneficiaries unserved by the Social Welfare Department. The delegation responded that this requires a policy change and they would submit a proposal to the relevant authority.

The Department of School Education proposed rebuilding the 100-bed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Girls’ Residential Hostel, which was virtually inaugurated by the President of India in 2022 but was damaged by landslides.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Thsuvisie Phoji also appealed to the union minister to allocate CSR to the district to initiate welfare and development activities.

Following the meeting, the minister visited the Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH).