State cabinet on Thursday held a closed door consultative meeting with Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers Association (ENGOA) and other senior officials from Eastern Nagaland at the Chief Minister’s residential complex, here.
Addressing the media after the meeting, minister & government spokesperson, KG Kenye, said the Cabinet held a meeting with ENGOA for the first time along with some leaders from the region. He said, during the meeting which was well represented by leaders from the region, they deliberated on all the documents and took stock of the status of development that has taken place till now in regard to the new political entity the region was aspiring for.
While mentioning that it was a healthy, free and fair discussion, Kenye said: “The state government has presented a brief report from the time that it started in 2010 up to date.” He added that different members had presented their opinions and views.
“What we have reiterated to our friends, our citizens from the Eastern part of the state through the ENGOA is that they must participate in the electoral process this time and we should cooperate and try to solve whatever is ahead of us amicably and not take a confrontational position,” he said.
“With understanding and more patience, I think we should resolve this issue. It doesn’t mean that if not before the parliamentary elections, this issue will die down. It is a continuous process, it has already taken more than a decade and it would continue even after the installation of a new government at the Centre,” Kenye said.
Responding to a query on whether ENGOA had accepted the request of the government, Kenye said ENGOA was a part of the movement and therefore within their family there should not be any problem in trying to approach each other or put across their views to each other anytime.
On being asked how the government was planning its next approach if ENPO was firm on its stand, Kenye said the government would continue to request everyone, upto the last citizen in the state, wherever they are, to participate and cast their votes atleast in the electoral process of this country.
Kenye said ENGOA would continue to persuade ENPO, who is spearheading this movement, that they should be a part of the electoral process as bonafide citizens of this nation. “So, I think they will execute their roles and responsibilities which is on their shoulders, everyone knows that,” he said.
With regard to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Kenye said three candidates were in the fray and the process has earnestly picked up therefore nothing should mar the process. “We are hoping for a smooth electoral process and conduct,” he added.
He appealed to everyone to support Dr Chumben Murry, the consensus candidate of the oppositionless PDA government so that with his strong voice he would be able to represent the Nagas in the parliament.