Dawn of a new era, declares Nagaland CM
Urges Meiteis to play role of big brother to other ethnic groups in NE
Source: IT News

Imphal, May 09 2017: Nagaland chief minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu announced today that a new era of peace and understanding is dawning in the northeast with the installation of a BJP led government in Manipur and appealed to the Meitei community to play the role of a big brother being the most advanced among different ethnic groups here and serve their younger brothers for their welfare.

Reckoning the tumultuous relation between Nagaland and Manipur in the past, the Nagaland chief minister said the two states have been crisis ridden for some time but with the change in government that period is already over.

"We are sorry for some of our leaders in the past who had exploited the situation for their selfish ends and created (bad) feeling among different communities," he said.

Now, people have seen a new ray of hope and herald the dawn of peace and understanding with the change of government, he stated referring to the new government in Manipur.

Dawn of a new era, declares Nagaland CM

Stating that the alliance of BJP and NPF in Nagaland has made good impact in the neibouring state, Leizeitsu further gave assurance of extended support to Manipur chief minister N Biren promising that the four NPF legislators will continue their support till the end.

"I felt it was our victory when the new chief minister took over in Manipur," said the veteran NPF leader.

Leizeitsu underlined the need for all communities in the northeastern region to foster good relation with one another as they have the same needs and proposed a major role for the Meiteis as the big brother.

He said the major community in Manipur is also the most advanced group in the region.

They have many writers and scholars who must come forward and help in creating a peaceful situation, he added.

On the landmark meeting that thaw the almost frozen relationship between the two states, he said we will interact more and we will see that the relationship is based on solid foundation.

In reply to a query he promised that though blockades were common in the past it will now become a thing of the past.

The people in the hills and valley of Manipur should learn to live together and our forefathers were very good neighbors.

The Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis must understand that only through peace there will be development, he stated.

On his part Biren said he had held doubt whether he was bound by shared beliefs to make a call on the Nagaland chief minister first as he was younger in age.

He clarified that the visit of Liezietsu, TR Zeliang and minister Yitachu was a courtesy call and there were no extra agenda.

The Nagaland chief minister wanted to show his appreciation to the good momentum built up in both hills and valley for cohesive and peaceful existence during the first 40 days of the BJP led government, he claimed.