CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO STAMP OUT DRUG MENACE
Nagaland Governor La Ganesan shared his concern over drug menace in the state especially among youth and called for collective effort among CSOs and law enforcement agencies to go all out in order to rid the state of the menace.
According to DIPR, the governor said this while addressing Heads of Departments (HoDs) and civil society organisations (CSO) leaders at Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) conference hall, Dimapur during his maiden visit to Dimapur City Wednesday. “We must do everything possible to stop the inflow of drugs to the state and make it inaccessible for the youth,” he said.
The governor described Dimapur as the educational hub of the state and called for focusing on quality education and to ensure that educated youth were employable in the job market. He also encouraged all schools and colleges in the state to adopt the New Education Policy (NEP), which he said was intended to making the Indian educational system more inclusive, flexible and learner-centred.
He also observed that all goods and people coming Nagaland pass through Dimapur, which is the gateway of Nagaland and which is also blessed with both rail and air connectivity.
Crediting Dimapur railway station as being the second-most important railway station in the Northeast after Guwahati, the governor reiterated that the Central government has plans for developing it into a world class railway station.
“Dimapur maybe the smallest district in the state in terms of size, yet its contribution to Nagaland in terms of economy is immense,” and added that Dimapur was one of the most vibrant and pluralistic urban areas in the state.
Ganesan said he was proud to visit Dimapur as it was one of the largest and most important cities in Nagaland in terms of its economic and cultural standing.
He also spoke about the problem of soil erosion due to unregulated exploitation of river banks for sand and boulders.
Ganesan cautioned that if soil erosion issue was not checked, it would create major problems in future and could even displace settlements and disrupt economic activities.
He therefore called upon the public to rethink and approach the water resource management and utilization and steer towards sustainability.
As a modern city, he said Dimapur was in dire need of modern infrastructure like proper drainage and sewerage system. He said the city required proper network of underground drains and sewerage to keep the city clean.
He urged government departments and the public to work hand in hand in bringing about a viable solution regarding the drainage matter. Ganesan also encouraged everyone to work for peace in the state, insisting that peace was a prerequisite for any developmental activity.
DC Dimapur Sachin Jaiswal welcomed the governor and presented a brief profile of the district during which he mentioned the need for more flyovers for addressing the issue of traffic congestion.
HoDs of Dimapur district highlighted on the activities undertaken by their respective departments.
Representatives of Naga Council Dimapur, Business Association of Nagaland, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Naga Women Hoho DImapur also spoke during the meeting.
The CSO leaders flagged several issues, including the non-completion of multi-disciplinary sports complex; approach road towards cemetery, total lifting of Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act, free interstate trade system, construction of bypass lane from police check gate near Amar mill to Dhansiripar and problems of multiple taxation. Earlier, upon arrival, the governor was accorded guard of Honour at the DC office premises.