All 11 Ao Legislators have expressed gratitude to chief minister Neiphiu Rio for his prompt response in committing to take up the Foot Hill Road construction at the meeting held on December 17.
According to a joint statement issued on behalf of all 11 Ao legislators by minister of Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir and NPF legislator, Imkong L. Imchen, the legislators had taken up the matter with the chief minister following the economic blockade since mid-November at Mariani, imposed by people of Mariani, mostly immigrants.
The signatories said Aos are tolerant by nature as well as love for human liberty that was ingrained in their character and was reflected in their attitude towards others.
They said that Aos have boundary demarcation with Ahoms as demonstrated by countless legends. However, they said the recent “unaccounted incidents and criminal activities” perpetrated on Aos by people of Mariani, mostly immigrants had even affected Mon, Longleng and Wokha districts for reasons best known to the “immigrant people of Assam”. However, despite all these, they said Aos have been tolerating such incidents over the years.
They said since mid-November 2020, the “immigrant people of Mariani” imposed “so-called economic blockade” ; firstly under the plea that the condition along Mariani-Mokokchung road was “not good enough and not motorable”. Later, they said the immigrants raised objection to setting up of COVID-19 pandemic check post at Ao Senden village, which was “unwarranted, uncalled for” as the people of Mariani had “no business to interfere in the internal affairs of Nagaland state.”
Sensing the plight of their people, the signatories said all Ao legislators of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, took up the matter with chief minister Neiphiu Rio at the December 17 meeting. They said the meeting discussed among others, the need for speedy implementation of the Foot Hill Road construction.
The signatories said the Ao legislators were “fully satisfied with the prompt response” of the chief minister who committed to take up the Foot Hill Road construction forthwith.
They said the chief minister disclosed that the Foot Hill Road was conceived and initiated by him during his previous tenure as chief minister but was neglected after he went to Delhi(as MP). They signatories said they agreed with the assertions of the chief minister and saw no reason not to trust the commitment he made for speedy action.
Further, the duo said the Foot Hill Road starting from Tizit to Khelma was considered as the most important socio-economic road of Nagaland. They said it would go a long way for all round socio-economic development of the entire state besides providing much needed relief to the daily commuters from across Nagaland. The signatories expressed deep gratitude to the chief minister, for his prompt response to the plight of the people and hence issue the “Statement of Appreciation”.