Comparing development doesn’t amount to creating division in Naga society: DyCMO

The deputy chief minister’s office (DyCMO) has clarified that deputy chief minister Y Patton commenting that some areas were getting more benefits in terms of development during the course of his speech at Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) meeting recently did not amount to creation of division in Naga family.
Responding to allegations in this regard in the media, the office claimed in a press release that Patton had on the contrary stated on many occasions that Central Nagaland area being centrally located, its people should be a bridge between the Naga brethren.
In fact, during the CNTC executive and CNTC legislators meeting at Hotel Saramati here on January 15, 2022, he had categorically stated that CNTC or, for that matter, formation of Central Nagaland Legislators Forum (CNLF) should not be for political purposes though its members belonged to different political parties, including an Independent, but rather fight together for what was rightfully theirs in terms of development.
The same was reiterated by him again during the formation of CNLF too at Hotel Acacia here on February 11 this year.
Denying that Patton was holding the chair of CNTC alone as alleged, the release claimed that people from far flung areas who knew and worked with him knew how they had benefitted.
In his magnanimity, he had even adopted Noklak village, one of the remotest villages in Indo-Myanmar border under SAGY, it added.
Referring to Chümoukedima as a district where rapid development was taking place was not a lie. Inferences could be made of any place in Nagaland that was progressing and faring better than other places, the release clarified.
The DyCMO said mentioning Chümoukedima was blessed to have better connectivity, electricity and healthcare facilities, including CISHR, compared to other parts of the State should not be construed as jealousy.
It pointed out that the State’s only cricket stadium, airport, SASARD, ICAR, RTO, ICFAI, Bamboo Mission, NBHM, NST Drivers Training Centre at Virazouma, Agri Expo Centre, NEZCC office and NAP headquarters, PTS and NAPTC were all located in Chümoukedima.
As other remote areas in the State did not have these privileges, the DyCM was only asking why this kind of developments could not take place in other areas if they raised their voice unitedly, the release claimed. Mention was made of Mangkolemba, Satoi and Bhandari where basic minimum infrastructure was trailing very much behind, it added.
It was not wrong to say that the present NIT was shifted from Hovukhu village in Nuiland to Chümoukedima or the Global Open University taken from Wokha to Chümoukedima while still functioning properly, citing a flimsy reason that Wokha was not accessible by railhead or airport and therefore not fit to have a head office.
It was not inciting tribalism if he had impressed upon CNTC executive and the CNLF to unitedly fight for securing government recognition to the oldest law college in Mokokchung and get the largest and oldest Aitozu Polytechnic upgraded to an engineering college, the DyCMO stressed.
According to the office, Patton was a no-nonsense outspoken leader who did not mince words. Although he was aware that by calling spade a spade, it would not go down well with some sections of the society, even to the extent of questioning his integrity and position, yet he chose to make the statement with an intention of sharing equitable developmental activities covering all areas on one hand and for public awareness on the other, the office explained.
“He doesn’t wait and watch like a sacrificial lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Therefore, he is often easily targeted and misunderstood. But, for now, the Hon’ble DyCM is always of the opinion that, if Nagaland is to march ahead, we should all grow together in terms of development instead of developing few areas,” the release specified.
Clarifying that it was also wrong to say that Patton was targeting Chümoukedima district, the DyCMO recalled that he, along with five legislators of erstwhile Dimapur district, had proposed the creation of Chümoukedima district of which he was also a resident.
While it is understood that elected representatives and all public servants were accountable to the people for their actions and also inactions, the office said it was unfortunate that civil society organisations jumped the gun every time a truth was spoken.
While the rest of the world had already taken the path to progress, the DyCMO emphasised that Nagaland could not afford to remain static and appealed to the youth to take the lead in bringing down the walls and boundaries of mistrust and engage in meaningful purposes.