Rio pushes to lessen sufferings of Nagas in Myanmar
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, February 08 2014 : Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has pushed to help lessen the suffering of Nagas in Myanmar.

He has also made afforts with leaders in Myanmar to bring peace and development in Naga areas before he returned to Nagaland after a five-day long historic visit to Myanmar.

During his visit, the Nagaland chief minister met the Myanmar Union Border Affairs Minister Lt.Gen.

Thet Naing, the Speaker of the Myanmar Parliament, Mr.Thura U Shwe Mann, the chief minister of Mandalay, Mr.U Ye Mint and the chief minister of Sagiang, Mr.U Thar Aye, the Vice President of the Union Solidarity Party, Naga Myanmar Members of Parliament, civil society representatives, entrepreneurs, and officials of the Indian Embassy led by the Ambassador of India to Myanmar, Mr.Gautam Mukhopadhaya, the Deputy Chief of Mission Mr.Sailas Thangal and the Indian Council General of Mandalay, Dr.Madan Mohan Sethi.

The Speaker of the Myanmar Parliament, Mr.Thura U Shwe Mann in his meeting with Mr.Rio, described the Nagaland Chief Minister's visit as historic and important.

He appreciated Rio for his efforts towards making sincere efforts for development and progress of the Naga inhabited areas in Myanmar.

He appealed to the CM and the Nagaland Government for cooperation and support in implementing development and improving bilateral ties witch India.

The speaker further appreciated Nagaland and India for implementing development initiatives in the Naga areas especially in the development of roads and connectivity.

Neiphiu Rio in his address extended the goodwill of India, especially from the people of Nagaland to the people of Myanmar and highlighted the fact that his visit to Myanmar was to promote peace, better understanding and development.

Highlighting the fact that the Nagaland government has been urging both the governments of India and Myanmar to focus on the suffering of the Nagas in Myanmar, Rio appreciated Myanmar for the recognition that was accorded to the Nagas in the form of the Naga Self Autonomous Zone and also appreciated New Delhi for the Prime Minister's aid package of 25 million US dollars to Myanmar, over a five year period, meant for the border regions, specially the Naga areas.

The Nagaland chief minister further called for stronger bilateral ties between Myanmar and India, increased mutual cooperation, more trade and commerce and active people-to-people contact.

He hoped that democracy will progress in Myanmar, contributing towards upliftment of human society in all aspects.

Rio extended the fullest cooperation and assistance of India, especially Nagaland towards the neighboring country and its people and highlighted that the north eastern region and Myanmar was at the core of India's look east policy and hoped that this region would become a place of vital importance in the global economy, particularly in the ASEAN region.

In his meeting with the Chief Minister of Mandalay, Rio expressed the need to make efforts towards increased ties between the people of Myanmar and India for confidence building measures.

The two chief ministers agreed that cultural exchanges and bringing the people towards common platforms would enhance the relationship between the people.

The meeting was also attended by the Mandalay ministers for agriculture and for social affairs.

In the meeting with the Union Minister of Border Affairs, Rio highlighted the need to improve connectivity in the Naga areas and informed the Myanmar Government that on the Indian side of the border, roads have been constructed at all the meeting points within Nagaland and urged for the road construction within Myanmar to be expedited.

Rio informed that the Prime Minister of India would be visiting Myanmar in March 2014 and he expressed confidence that India would make more commitments towards assisting Myanmar in its march towards democracy and human progress.

The Nagaland chief minister stated in his meetings that Nagas want peace, development and progress.

This feeling was the strongest amongst the youth and he expressed satisfaction that on both sides of the border the political groups and undergrounds were in ceasefire with the governments of Myanmar and India.

He hoped that the dialogues would bring political settlement and speed up the process of development.

"I bring goodwill from the people of India and Nagaland", Rio emphasized.

In the meeting with the Chief Minister of Sagaing, Rio appreciated the efforts of the Sagaing government for giving importance and recognition to the Naga Self Administered Zone.

Both the chief ministers agreed that efforts must be made to ensure that people on both sides of the border must be able to move without needing visas and that confidence building measures must be enhanced.

The meeting was also attended by the Sagaing ministers for livestock, social development and transport including the president of the Sagaing Parliament.

The Chief Minister also had meetings with the Myanmar Naga parliamentarians and representatives of the church.

He urged them to make tireless efforts to bring peace, improve education, health care and connectivity and make every possible contribution to unite the people.

He assured them the support and goodwill of the Naga people on the Indian side of the border and stated that every effort would be made towards improving the overall status of the Naga people in Myanmar.

The chief minister of Nagaland inaugurated a cafe-cum-restaurant at Mandalay which is being run and operated by young Naga entrepreneurs.

The Chie Minister of Nagaland extend formal invitation to the Speaker of the Parliament and Chief Ministers of Mandalay and Sagaing to visit India and Nagaland.

The Nagaland Chief Minister has also been invited to attend the Naga festival at Khamti along with the Saigaing and Mandalay Chief Ministers.

Mr.Rio had a fruitful interaction with renowned historian from Mandalay Prof.Dr.Khin Maung Nyunt, who is a Member of the Myanmar Historical Commission.

The Chief Minister has also invited him to visit Nagaland and deliver a lecture to the students community.

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