Zeliang issues clarion call for Naga unity
Source: The Sangai Express

Dimapur, March 03 2016: Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang today made a clarion call appealing to the Naga people and various Naga political groups to maintain unity and brotherhood so as to resolve the protracted Naga political issue with the Government of India, according to a press communique from the Chief Minister's Office, Kohima.

Inaugurating Noklak Town Council at Tuensang district of Nagaland this morning, the Chief Minister said for peaceful resolution of the nearly century-old Naga political problem the most important aspect is to maintain Naga unity and brotherhood amongst the various Naga tribes and political groups.

"If we do not have brotherhood and unity, we will never be strong, and we will not be respected and taken seriously by other people," he said.

"It is also time for all Naga political groups to unite for the common Naga cause, and they should now learn to speak in one voice.

Many people believe that our disunity is the main stumbling block to the solution of the Naga problem.

And when the Government of India headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready to work out a final resolution for the political issue through peaceful means, the ball is now in our court" .

Elaborating on the Naga political problem and the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India on August 3 last year the Chief Minister maintained "this is not the time to point fingers at each other and start the blame game, but time for all sections of Naga society to contribute positively so that an acceptable and honourable solution can be brought about without delay.

"We have experienced enough violence, we have shed enough blood, and we have lost enough precious lives during our struggle.

Would we want our children and their children to go through the sufferings we the parents have gone through ? Should our legacy to our children be an unsolved, vexed political problem which has lasted for more than three quarters of a century ? To my mind, Nagas should leave behind a legacy of peace and progress to our descendants and that would be possible only if we all come together, put our heads together and resolve our political problem.

And now is the opportune time especially when we have a Prime Minister who is keen to solve the problem with mutual understanding involving all stakeholders within a short time frame," the Chief Minister extolled.

On the need for communal harmony amongst the various Naga tribes and communities, the Chief Minister appealed to all tribes to maintain peace and harmony.

Highlighting the principal objectives of setting up town councils, the Chief Minister said it was to establish local self-governance which is to empower the people to take over development of their towns and to manage the same.

"Whatever grants-in-aid are admissible or available will continue to be given by the State Government," he said much to the delight of the gathering.

"But the Town Council will also have to raise its own resources through various taxes and fees to carry out developmental activities in the town such as civic amenities, beautification and other minor works such as drainage, footpaths and repairs of roads" .

On 33% reservation issue, the Chief Minister said, "Negotiation between the Naga Mothers' Association and the Government is going on and I am hopeful that the matter will be resolved amicably very soon.

Only then, can elections to the Municipal bodies and Town Councils take place so that you have your own elected representatives.

There should not be conflict and differences between men and women.

We should understand each other's interests so that together we can work for the betterment of the people and the State.

Times have changed and we should change our mindset along with the changed times and realities of modern-day world.

"We may have domestic differences within the family, but we should peacefully resolve these differences without resorting to fights and litigations.

No differences or problems are too big to be insurmountable by understanding, compassion and goodwill," the Chief Minister beseeched.

Comment