Skip to main content

Rio laments ‘senseless’ killings


PEREN, MAY 30 (NPN): Chief minister Neiphiu Rio Friday said the most worrying aspect of the present Naga society was the senseless killings that have deeply hurt the sentiments of the people.“At a time when the cry for of the people is for peace and progress, it is most unfortunate that we Nagas are killing amongst ourselves,” the chief minister said in his inaugural address of the 9th general session of the Naga Hoho held here at Peren Town Hall premise. Thrusting greater responsibility to Naga traditional institutions, Rio said the tribal hohos and mass based civil societies must carry forward the voice of the people who were crying for peace and progress. “It must be made known to all national workers that the people want the killings to come to an immediate halt. Any person or organization that professes to represent the interests of the people should also listen to their voice,” he said.Reiterating the DAN Government’s stance that factional clashes were political in nature and must be handled differently, unlike normal law and order problem, the chief minister said even the Government of India had accepted the Indo-Naga problem as a political issue and, therefore, the ceasefire agreement and dialogue.He also cautioned that one has to be careful not to undermine the Naga political issue by terming it as a mere law and order problem.On the issue of Naga integration, Rio said the State Government and the NPF party remain committed to this aspiration, and would continue to carry the voice of the people. Highlighting on the plight of the Nagas in Myanmar living under the yoke of the junta, the chief minister said it was high time that “we focus our attention towards them too, instead of fighting amongst ourselves here.”Rio further reiterated the DAN government’s commitment to contribute towards the peace process as an active facilitator.Expressing pain over the unabated factional killings, outgoing Naga Hoho president I Bendangmanyang Jamir in his presidential address, which was read out in absentia by the Hoho vice president Keviletuo Kiewhuo, said Nagas have fought more wars among themselves than with the Indian state under the banner of Nagas’ cry for sovereignty.Stating that hatred, jealousy and tribalism have dominated the Naga movement, Jamir said the time has come for Nagas to reconcile and unite to bring permanent settlement to the Naga political problem.He also reminded that while striving for peace and unity among Nagas, the unity should not be at the cost of ongoing Naga peace talks.“The present political negotiation with India is a hard-earned for the Nagas and this opportunity should not be allowed to sway away owing to petty differences among the Naga families. The Naga Hoho is fully aware that piece meal unification and reconciliation will bring more disaster and pave way for more bloodshed,” he said.The outgoing Hoho president further said it would be another heartbreaking episode in the annals of Naga freedom movement if any Naga intellectual or freedom lover under the banners of NSCN (I-M), NSCN (K) or FGN attempted to derail the definition of “Indigenous people” as these people are supposed to be the champions of indigenous people’s struggle in different parts of the world.The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) and GBs/DBs Joint Forum also read out messages of solidarity on the occasion. NMA president Khesheli said though inimical forces both within and outside were “sleeplessly engaged in engineering divisiveness”, Nagas have withstood such trials in the past too. She also said Naga mothers have full confidence in their menfolk that they would be able to settle the Naga issue once and for all. GBs/DBs Joint Forum convenor A Taku Longkumer said due to the deteriorating situation, the Forum was compelled to undertake its with the support of Naga Hoho, ENPO, NMA, all tribal hohos, students’ bodies, churches and the State Government.The session was attended by a host of ministers and legislators including Home minister Imkong Imchen, Planning minister TR Zeliang, Power minister Doshehe, parliamentary secretary Chotisuh Sazo, NIDC chairman Shetoyi, MLA Tarie, besides representatives of various hohos and civil societies. Rio, GBs/DBs plea to Eastern Nagas Chief minister Neiphiu Rio and the GBs/DBs Joint Forum have stressed on the need for the Naga Hoho and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) to come under one umbrella.Pointing out that in so far as the Naga political issue was concerned, unity among the overground Nagas was equally imperative, Rio appealed to the people of Eastern Nagaland to “rejoin” the two frontal Naga organizations - Naga Hoho and NSF. Similarly, the GBs/DBs Joint Forum has appealed to both Naga Hoho and ENPO to “come together, bury all the differences to rescue and lead the Nagas to foster peace and harmony in all round developments economically, socially and politically.”

(Courtesy: Nagaland Post)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

KCP(MC) is the proxy of security forces, say KYKL and UNLF

IMPHAL, May 30: The KYKL and the UNLF, in a joint communique to the press condemned the bomb explosion at the RIMS within the office complex of the institute`s director, Dr. Fimate, calling it an act of terrorism calculated to tarnish the image of the revolutionary movement in the state.The joint statement said, intimidating the sick and ailing is an unforgivable act of inhumanity, adding that under humanitarian norms hospitals are spared even during the most bitter wars.The two underground organisations said the pattern of these assaults by the KCP(MC) should have made it clear to everybody by now that the KCP(MC) is the masked proxy of the Indian forces with an agenda to alienate the revolutionary campaign waged by revolutionary organisations from the people.It however said this campaign by the "Indian Occupational Forces" would boomerang on it sooner than later.Explaining further, the two outlawed groups said the KCP(MC) is now holed up within the IG (AR) South headquarte...

Grasshoppers a treat, not threat: Agri Dept

State Department of Agriculture has set at rest speculations of imminent famine and other dark forebodings due to current invasion of the long-horned grasshoppers (Tettigonidae family) in Nagaland. The department has, on the other hand, suggested consuming the edible winged creatures by the population at large as a first towards biological pest management and getting rid of the grasshopper.“Many insects are consumed as delicacy in different parts of the world. They have rich nutrient value such as protein, fats minerals and vitamins,” stated a press release issued by Director of Agriculture. The department said the commonly edible insects include grasshoppers, crickets, grubs, caterpillar beetles, winged termites, wasps and bee larvae, ants, cicadas, stink bugs and aquatic insects. The nighttime hunting of hoppers by the local populace is not new either.“Similar incidences are reported in East Africa where with the introduction of street lights into towns has revolutionized the tettigo...

Govt plans to make Imphal city a green zone: CM

IMPHAL, Jun 5: The World Environment Day was observed extensively in the state by various organizations and political parties in separate ways on their own respective themes with an objective to restore a balanced ecosystem in the state. The state level observation of the day was organized jointly by the Loktak Lake Fishermen’s Welfare Society and Loktak Development Authority at Sendra tourist spot this morning with the state chief minister O Ibobi Singh as the chief guest. The chief minister announced a clear policy of the state government to save Loktak Lake by systematic clearance of the floating bio mass (Phumdis). Attending the World Environment Day and Loktak Water Festival occasion as chief guest the chief minister further noted that Loktak is the only fresh water lake surviving in the North Eastern region. And it has become one of the only means for many people in the state. So, it is the duty of everyone to maintain its beauty and not to destroy the lake by planting the floati...