Debate on motion of thanks to Gov’s address

Several members took part in the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address on the third day of the first session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Initiating the discussion on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, NPF legislator Azo Nienu highlighted the need to bring out strong policies to deal with impending problems, including illegal immigrants and Inner Line Permit (ILP).He cautioned that at the current trend of illegal immigrants flocking into Chümoukedima, Dimapur and surrounding areas, Nagaland was soon going to become the next Tripura.
On Naga political issue, Azo said he was ashamed of bringing up this issue every time and suggested that a joint legislators’ forum be constituted to pursue the Naga issue. He insisted that the Naga issue should be brought to a logical conclusion within a year’s time and legislators should vacate their seats to make way for an interim government to take over if an acceptable, honourable and inclusive agreement was arrived at.
Azo also accused the Home department of not doing any policing work because most of the State’s forces were deployed in static and VIP duties.
He said even when principal secretary, commissioner & secretary, etc, were not entitled to personal bodyguards, some party workers were roaming around with such guards.
He strongly recommended that this culture should be discontinued and the police should be left to do their assigned job.He said out of the 26,000 police personnel, 19,000 were armed.
Although there were times in the past when armed police were needed for law and order, he noted that times had since changed and therefore there should be restructuring and reorganising of the force with more focus on cybercrime, forensics, etc.
He also suggested Home minister Patton to champion the cause of making all new appointments through open recruitment.
Joining the discussion, NPF legislator Achumbemo Kikon highlighted the man-animal conflict in areas under his 40 Bhandari constituency. He called for resolving the issue with some long-term policies in order to prevent such cases from recurring again.
On the Naga issue, he said that integration of Naga areas was the birthright of Nagas, but regretted that no mention on it in the governor’s address.
On the Foothill Road issue, kikon pointed out that the governor’s speech had mentioned the length of the road as only 320 km from Tizit to Dimapur, whereas the actual road from Tizit to Khelma would cover around 392 km.
During the discussion, NDPP legislator Kaito G Aye suggested that Nagaland should focus more in meat production as currently it was not meeting the people’s requirement.
Mentioning that Phek district had banned import of pork from outside, he remarked that if one district could become successful in meeting its own demand for pork, other districts should emulate Phek and encourage traditional rearing methods.
On his part, BJP legislator Imkong L Imchen said that all 60 legislators were united on the Naga political issue.He recalled that sometime in 2018, the slogan “election for solution” was coined and Nagas were yearning to bring an end to the longstanding issue.
He stressed that the approach to bring out a permanent solution should be realistic, rational and acceptable to both sides of the negotiating parties. Imchen opined that the government should adopt a policy of give and take on both sides.
He reminded the House that Government of India’s offer was 80% solution and 20% post solution. He said if the Centre was sincere and committed in resolving the issue, then Nagas should also take advantage of the situation.
He urged the legislators to be proactive and continue playing the role of sincere and active facilitators.
NDPP legislator and Adviser, Mhathung Yanthan, said the governor’s words of appreciation for the entire civil administration, police and all other State agencies for having worked tirelessly for the successful conduct of the Assembly elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner, rightly deserved the appreciation.
He reminded the House that the socio-economic progress of Nagaland continued to be reliant on agriculture and allied activities, and that about 70% of the population was directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture sector.
In this regard, he told the House that the PDA-II government was committed to give focus to improvement of agriculture sector for enhancing productivity.
While highlighting the socio-economic progress of Nagaland and its dependence on agriculture and allied sector, BJP legislator P Bashangmongba Chang, thanked the government for issuing organic certification to 23,000 hectares of agricultural land in the State.
He mentioned that the formation of 38 farmer producers’ organisations would not only go a long way in boosting the rural economy, but also create awareness among growers and farmers on the importance of organic farming..
Lone LJP (RV) legislator Dr Sukhato A Sema claimed that Pughoboto sub-division was one region deeply rooted in the Naga political issue since its inception and still had a very strong connection. He said was obliged to thank chief minister, deputy chief minister and the esteemed team members as an elected member from the constituency, for taking the initiative to bring a solution to the Naga political issue at the earliest.
Dr Sema said he had apprised the matter to Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan, who not only assured to take up the matter with the Prime Minister but also raise the issue in Parliament at an appropriate time.
He assured the Assembly that the LJP(RV) State unit would extend full support to Rio and his council of ministers in resolving the long-pending Naga political issue by bringing it to a logical conclusion.