Working towards 'honourable settlement' of Naga issue : Modi
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy - DNA/Indian Express
Tuensang, February 22 2018:
Assuring that the Centre is working towards finding an honourable settlement to the vexed Naga issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the State electorate to vote the BJP and ally NDPP to power for political stability in the hill State and its development.
"We are working to end the political problems in Nagaland.
I believe we'll be able to hammer out a political solution to the Naga problem within the next few months, which will be honourable and well-deserving for the people of Nagaland," he said at a public rally in remote Tuensang district.
The Prime Minister said the Centre kept the door open for talks with anyone for finding a lasting solution to the Naga issues.
"We have kept open the option for talks with everyone.
We are ready to talk to civil society and other groups at any time.
We are ready to talk with the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation also.
I admit that the ENPO area is very backward.
We are also going to consider special packages and schemes for the development of ENPO area," Modi assured.
On August 3, 2015, the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) had signed a Framework Agreement to end the seven-decade-old insurgency.
Last year, the Government had signed an agreement with a Working Committee of six Naga National Political Groups.
In January, the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations had urged the Election Commission to defer the Assembly elections till a solution to the protracted Naga insurgency was found.
Eleven political parties in Nagaland had also decided not to issue tickets or file nominations to press for an early solution to the seven-decade-old insurgency.
Modi said the National Democratic Alliance Government is giving special priority to the North East and making efforts to enhance prosperity in the region.
"Our Government is committed to ensure all-round development of the North Eastern States", he said.
Beginning his speech by saluting the Naga people in the Nagamese language, Modi said if the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and BJP alliance came to power in Nagaland after the 27 February elections, development will reach the grass roots in the State.
"People of Nagaland have been striving for peace and stability.
The development of Nagaland will gain speed only when we all move together.
We must now go beyond political instability, which has been in the State for the last several years.
Swearing in of four Cabinets in four years is a drag on development," the Prime Minister said, emphasising the need for a strong and stable Government in Nagaland to work for its development.
The Prime Minister said that every resource earmarked for Nagaland's development would be spent on public welfare and there would be no tolerance towards corruption.
He also saluted the culture of the Naga people.
The BJP has fielded 20 candidates and its alliance partner NDPP 40 for the 27 February elections to the 60-member Assembly.
Later in the day, addressing an election rally in Phulbari in Meghalaya, he slammed the State Government saying that it has wasted 50 years in power and urged people to give BJP one opportunity to bring growth in North East.
Both Meghalaya and Nagaland will be going on polls on February 27 and results will be announced on March 3 .
The BJP has fielded 47 candidates for the 60-seat Assembly election in Meghalaya where Congress is in power.