Sanis in Wokha district upgraded to ADC Headquarters in Nagaland
Source: CMO Nagaland *

Sanis, Wokha, January 18 2018: Sanis SDO (Civil) Headquarters under Wokha district has been upgraded to ADC Headquarters marking the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream of the people of the district. Addressing the inaugural function this morning, Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the upgradation will usher in a new era of growth and prosperity for the Sanis sub-division and also wished for the establishment of SDEO Office and upgradation of Government High School Sanis to Government Higher Secondary School Sanis.

Sanis sub-division covers the entire Lotha Middle range and prominent villages of Wokha like Pangti and Lakhuti and Doyang Hydro Electric Project are located within its jurisdiction.

The subdivision has three EAC circles at Sungro, Aitepyong and Lotsu, and administers one of the biggest areas covering about 28 villages.

It also has potential of mining minerals like coal, petroleum, stone etc.

The Chief Guest said, with the strategic location of Sanis between the district HQ and Bhandari ADC office, it can play a very vital role in the development of the Wokha district.

Sanis in Wokha district upgraded to ADC Headquarters in Nagaland

"It is also an important transit point as it connects with Golaghat district of Assam.

This has immense potential for trade and commerce and will provide job opportunities for youth." On road connectivity, Zeliang informed that the State has been able to get sanctions for several major roads from the government of India and work is already being carried out for 60 kms of Wokha-Merapani road by NHIDCL which has been sanctioned at a cost of around Rs 191 crores.

Stating that the road will benefit Sanis and provide connectivity with Assam, Zeliang said the people of the area need to ensure availability of land and extend cooperation to enable timely completion of the projects with quality.

On exploration of resources, the chief minister said, "the government of India is providing resources to improve connectivity and infrastructure, and that the people need to explore their own resources for growth and progress" .

He said, "Sanis and its adjoining areas have huge oil deposits which can be explored for economic development" .

He however said, "This requires support and cooperation of landowners to allow investments in exploration.

Nagaland government has brought out rules and regulations for exploration of oil and natural gas" .

The chief minister also lamented that the State has not been able to implement policy due to objections from some quarters.

He expressed the hope that the issue and misunderstanding will be resolved and that the State will be able to explore oil and be economically self-reliant.

"There is no reason that we cannot realize this dream of being economically self-reliant.

The success of commissioning of the Doyang Hydro Electric Project in Sanis is proof that the people of Sanis can achieve anything with the right resolve.

Sanis is also known for the Baghty valley which has been declared as Special Economic Zone by the State government" .

He said, the villages around the Doyang reservoir especially the Pangti village has gained worldwide recognition for efforts made for conservation of flora and fauna especially Amur Falcons.

Tourism can also play a major role in economic development and creating jobs" .

Stating that Sanis is one of the major agricultural hubs of the state, Zeliang said, with the support of the agro-based schemes and projects initiated by the State government the farmers can double their agricultural income by 2022. The chief minister assured that State government will continue to provide necessary infrastructure and facilities for speedy development of the area.

Citing the instances in the past where projects had been stalled because of problems created by landowners, he said, "we must understand that for any development to take place, land is required." Zeliang therefore appealed to the landowners to cooperate and part with their land generously whenever required in public interest" .

Sanis is one of the oldest historical places in Nagaland and administrative significance of Sanis dates back to 1874 when the British administration survey team under the stewardship of Captain Butler camped at Sanis and carried out survey work and identified Sanis as one of the most important locations for administrative purposes.

Thereby the British administration established a Dag Bunglow at Sanis.

At the time of statehood, Sanis was under a public administrator.

In late 1960s, the administrative HQ was manned by a circle officer.

Sanis was subsequently upgraded to SDO (C)HQ on 1st July 1988 .

The chief minister was accompanied by Thomas Ngullie, Advisor Higher& Technical Education, his cabinet colleagues and senior government officials.